Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has stated that some members within the party may prefer it to remain stagnant under his leadership.
Constitutional Amendments and Internal Debate
He made these remarks during the MDP’s National Assembly meeting on Wednesday night, where proposed amendments to the party's constitution led to heated debate.
Opposition to the amendments arose due to concerns about the proper procedure for passing them, with critics arguing that constitutional changes should only be approved at the party’s Congress, not the National Assembly.
Furthermore, only 42 out of 121 members were present during the meeting, which raised questions about whether there was a sufficient majority to pass such amendments.
Fayyaz Ismail's Defense of the Amendments
MDP’s constitution stipulates that amendments must be passed at the Congress, but Fayyaz pointed to Article 101, which allows the National Assembly to approve changes in certain circumstances.
He emphasized the urgency of passing the amendments before the next Congress, which cannot be held until next year.
“Some people may want to interfere, slow down, and stop the party's operations,” Fayyaz remarked, addressing the growing internal tensions within the MDP following its defeat in the presidential election.
He added that waiting until mid-next year to make necessary changes would hinder party operations.
Internal Divisions and Proposed Amendments
Fayyaz’s comments come amid reports of a growing rift between him and MDP President Abdulla Shahid, with rumors of factions forming within the party.
Shahid did not attend the National Assembly meeting, further fueling speculation about internal divisions.
Defending the proposed amendments, Fayyaz argued that they are already long overdue and should not be delayed simply because not all members were present at the meeting.
He emphasized that members of the National Assembly have a significant responsibility to ensure the smooth functioning of the party.
Proposed Amendments
The proposed amendments include the following:
- Creation of a National Consultative Council to advise party leadership.
- Formation of an assembly of elected councillors from among party members.
- Establishment of a branch for Women’s Development Committees.
- Formation of island executive committees.
Fayyaz Ismail's Commitment to Party Strengthening
Fayyaz concluded by affirming his commitment to strengthening the party, despite the challenges posed by internal conflicts and external criticism on platforms like Twitter.
He stated that his focus is on ensuring the MDP’s success, not proving a point to critics.
