The Hindu : National : Opposition leader returns to Maldives

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Sunday, May 01, 2005

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Opposition leader returns to Maldives

Special Correspondent

Government, MDP differ in estimates of turnout on the streets

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), returned to Male on Saturday from exile with the avowed objective of building his party as the main Opposition in the Maldives.

Mr. Nasheed, who flew in from Colombo, was received at the airport (on an island near Male) and later in the city by his supporters.

The MDP leader returns to the country against the background of the promise of multi-party democracy in a year by President M.A. Gayoom. Many are watching the extent of functional freedom that the administration would allow for Mr. Nasheed as that would be an indicator of the genuineness of the Government's promise of democratic reforms.

Mr. Nasheed was in self-imposed exile for about two years.

The chief Government spokesman of Maldives, Ahmed Shaheed, told The Hindu that the supporters of the MDP marched through the streets with Mr. Nasheed but the Government was trying to prevent violence.

The Government and the MDP differed in their estimate of how many were on the streets. While the MDP claimed that 2,000 to 3,000 people had gathered to receive Mr. Nasheed, Dr. Shaheed said that there were only 200 to 300 people.

To a question from The Hindu on Friday night, the spokesman had said the Government did not oppose the return of any Maldivian.

Dr. Shaheed said in an email message that Mr. Nasheed's desire to return to the Maldives vindicated the Government's stand and cast doubts on Mr. Nasheed's earlier positions. "His scepticism about the reform agenda is no longer credible."

"Not banned"

He said that the MDP was not banned in the country. "Based on a formal legal opinion delivered by the then Attorney-General, Mohamed Munavvaru, in 2001, and on an endorsement of that opinion by the Parliament in June 2001, the Government was unable to register the MDP. However, it has not banned MDP or any party or grouping."

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