Government coalition partner Adhaalath Party’s candidate for Kelaa constituency, Thooba Rasheed has declared his support for main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s candidate Ibrahim Shareef.

Thooba revealed to RaajjeMV that he had given up the seat as he does not wish the government to lose the seat in Parliament with two of their candidates contesting.

He went on to appeal on all Kelaa constituents supporting Adhaalath to cast their votes for Ibrahim Shareef.

“I realized that the government might lose the seat if two government candidates were to contest for the constituency. There might be less chances for the government to win the seat with both of us contesting. So we have decided to support Shareef in order to win the seat for President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih,” said Thooba.

Thooba was jailed numerous times during the former administration for joining the protests against then-President Abdulla Yameen.

Many members of the government coalition parties have praised Thooba for his decision, and MDP candidate Shareef’s campaign activities have invigorated.

Six candidates are contesting for Kelaa constituency, including current MP for the constituency, Ali Arif.

Former President and leader of main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Mohamed Nasheed praised Thooba for his decision to give up his candidacy.

Taking to twitter mere hours after Thooba announced his retraction from contesting for the constituency to give way for MDP’s Ibrahim Shareef, Nasheed wrote that he welcomes Thooba’s decision.

He went on to express that coalition partners MDP and AP will jointly work together to win majority in the 19th tenure of Parliament, set to begin in May.

The coalition partners are jointly contesting for a total of three constituencies. As such, MDP had previously announced their support for Ali Azim, AP’s candidate for Mahibadhoo constituency and Mussab Mohamed, contesting through AP for Nilandhoo constituency.

Earlier, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had also voices his support for Shareef, who in the President’s words, has his “full support”.

“Shareef is someone who worked for justice, he pushed resiliently through difficult times during the past seven years and helped us a lot. I have full trust in him. I urge you all to help elect him to Parliament,” said President Solih.