The Hindu : Kerala News : Nasheed's return being keenly watched

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Saturday, Apr 30, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Nasheed's return being keenly watched

Roy Mathew

What many fear in the Maldives is whether the Government will arrest him

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: : Maldivians are keenly watching the scheduled return of the chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in exile, Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), to the Maldives on Saturday.

Mr. Nasheed will be testing the waters in a country where party politics is banned for all practical purposes, as he flies in from Colombo. However, the President, M.A. Gayoom, has announced democratic reforms early this year and promised the same to the Maldivian expatriate community here during his recent visit to India.

What many are watching is whether the Maldivian Government would arrest Mr. Nasheed under some pretext. If that happens, it would cast doubts on Mr. Gayoom's promise of multi-party democracy. This may be what Mr. Nasheed is also aiming at.

For strengthening party

If the proposed reforms go on schedule, Mr. Nasheed would want to build a good domestic base for his party. He has said that he intended to set up party cells and offices around the country.His return has many objectives, according to sources.

"We believe that we need a strong and bold leader on the ground who is prepared to challenge Gayoom and his authority in accordance with the law," Ahmed Moosa, Editor-in-Chief of the Dhivehi Observer and Member of the General Council of MDP, told The Hindu in an email message from London.

Mr. Nasheed has been in prison several times before and was even ousted from the Parliament (Majlis) by the Maldivian Government. The MDP now claims a de facto presence in Maldivian Parliament and significant domestic and international support. It has units in London and Colombo.

Though the Maldivian Democratic Party has sympathisers among the

Maldivian expatriate population here, none publicly speak for the party.

Mr. Gayoom has promised to strengthen fundamental rights, increase transparency and accountability in Government and improve the criminal justice and penal systems. This, however, has not instilled confidence among the people.

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