MDP winning Majlis

With more opposition MPs joining the ruling MDP, the party appears to be heading for a very comfortable majority in the Peoples Majlis. While the main opposition DRP is in disarray, all advantages are pouring into President Mohamed Nasheed's MDP. Latest DRP MP to join MDP is firebrand reformist and one of the most vocal opponent of MDP, Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed. Ali Waheed had enough frustrations and his voice tired criticising MDP, he decided there is nothing to gain from it. He wants to give his support for the national development efforts of the Government. He vowed he will crush any obstacles coming in the way of the MDP Government and help the people get the best from the young and struggling Government.

Ali Waheed declared this in MDP special ceremony held on Friday to welcome him joining the party and to mark its increasing support and popularity. President Nasheed gave a hero's welcome and hugged Waheed amid thundering applause. Waheed said he will give his best to bring more success to MDP Government.

According to informed sources, over 10 opposition MPs have committed their allegiance to ruling MDP. Most of them however will not officially take membership in the party. They will support the Government in the Majlis so that the Government will be able to pass their matters in the Majls easily. Maafannu Uthuru MP who had vociferously defended DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen in the present DRP power struggle, has resigned from DRP and is on the way to join MDP. Abdulla has announced he was joining MDP few months earlier too, but he reversed his decision that time.

All this means MDP Government will have a comfortable majority in the next session of the Majlis starting in June. It is expected to see a very different Majlis from June. The Government will be able to pass their bills and other matters without the heated and loud arguments seen in the past 3 years. Hulhuhenveyru MP Moosa Maniku is strongly likely to take away the position of Majority Leader from DRP Leader and Kendhoo MP Ahmed Thasmeen. During the Thasmeen Maumoon fight over DRP leadership, Thasmeen has also said, his party will support the MDP Government in realistic national issues beneficial to the people and country.

In the recent months DRP's Maumoon faction has accused Thasmeen and his supporters of betraying the party and the country. They have also accused Thasmeen and Speaker Abdulla Shahid have fallen nicely into the trap of MDP Government. But Thasmeen and his supporters blame former President Gayoom for destroying the opposition for his selfish motive.

The emerging reality seems to be the Maldives will soon have only one strong party. Some analysts feel that our country, like Singapore and Malaysia more or less has a single viable political party. According to them, Maldives is probably will have only MDP as the country's only viable and active political party capable of defeating all other parties and ruling the country. The main opposition DRP and other smaller parties will become inactive and insignificant to challenge and compete with MDP. The psychology is that increasing number of people will look at MDP as the only party capable of serving their needs.

The power and success of MDP will continue changing at times depending on the capability of its leader elected as president of the country. Some political analysts are more than sure that President Mohamed Nasheed will be re-elected in 2013 and MDP will very likely remain in power for many years unless they make very serous mistakes that can change the opinion of the people. But analysts believe that such a possibility is far from happening. 

Ultimate MDP majority in the Majlis was a long foreseen reality because MPs in the opposition on one hand would eventually become frustrated over the fights and squabbling in the Majlis which they believe have caused very negative effects on the Majlis and themselves. They feel enough is enough and it is useless wasting any more time in a party which is in the process of breaking. They feel that they can help ruling MDP mend and strengthen their policies and administration by supporting the Government. They also feel they share a moral responsibility to serve the people who elected them to improve their living and speed up development projects to their constituencies. They have come to the second thinking that it is much beneficial to be on the side of the Government.

With such dramatic changes taking place in the political landscape, many are curious which of the two factions in the opposition DRP will ultimately emerge victorious. While the Election Commission has said there is no party by the name of  ZDRP, suggesting that it is not legal for them to use the name and logo of DRP and hold meetings and rallies in that name. DRP has also filed a case in the courts for a court ruling to stop ZDRP actions. There are more MPs with DRP Leader Thasmeen, though Ali Waheed and Abdulla Abdul Raheem who have vehemently campaigned in support of Thasmeen have apparently left him. Maumoon faction has relatively fewer MPs but they are claiming more DRP members are supporting their faction. While the claim is there, we are seeing increasing number of DRP members joining MDP. MDP membership has dramatically grown to over 45,000, while the number of DRP members has reduced significantly. This strongly suggests that President Nasheed will easily be reelected with a high margin in the first round in 2013.

However, analysts still believe that President Nasheed needs to change some policies and tactics to appease a population frustrated by the rising cost of living and commodities. The opposition has already taken advantage of these issues. Some experts believe that the Government's recent economic reforms are aimed at a stable economy and prosperous nation. But the foreign currency crisis and spiraling inflation needs to be solved quickly as promised. It is reported that the most of the MPs who are joining MDP have some conditions. They want the Government to become more responsive to the needs of the people and speed up delivering its promises. Government expenditure and political appointees to cut down. Action to be taken against corruption and abuse in the Government. President needs to reduce rhetoric. Some MPs are in support of few changes to the Constitution such as minimizing Majlis approval for Cabinet, ambassadors and some institutions, so that a Presidential system of Government can function efficiently.