Former President Abdulla Yameen has stated that members of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) do not need to join the soon-to-be-ruling People's National Congress (PNC) as both parties have the same ideology. He held the impromptu meeting with his supporters at the PPM office without the knowledge of the party leadership. As such, the senior party members were not present during the meeting.
During a meeting with supporters, former President Yameen urged them to increase their efforts to make PPM the most popular party in the country, focusing on gaining more young members. He also highlighted the preparations that need to be made for the upcoming parliamentary elections. He added that PPM members do not need to join coalition partner PNC as both parties have the same ideology. He said he was satisfied with the results of the presidential election and implored the new administration to remain steadfast in the face of opposition.
Former President Yameen, who is serving an 11-year prison sentence, held the meeting after the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) granted leniency in the terms of his house arrest. He was transferred from Maafushi Prison to his home in Male’ City on October 1. He held his last meeting with his supporters 10 months earlier.