Stop Partying and Start Moving

I apologize for the long hiatus. I have been pretty busy with work and everything else. Two important things happened during my absence from the blog.
1) The failed mass gathering organized by MDP for the 10th of November 2006
2) The expulsion of Mavota Shareef (MP Addu) from MDP and the expected departure of some high ranking MDP personals to the new party to be formed by the former MDP president Ibra.

The gathering organized by the MDP was doomed from the start. I fail to understand how MDP could have envisioned a mass gathering to the capital when most of the islanders live below $1 a day. Where would they get the money to travel, where are they going to stay, what are they going to do once they arrive. Besides, in Maldives most of the people who are rich enough to own a boat (dhoni) are connected to the Regime (how else could they have gotten rich). It was simply a matter of cutting off the transportation by the government. A simple task. A few brave people tried only to be made an example to the rest of the country of what would befall to anyone who tried to join this demonstration. Maldives in not Venezuela or Ukraine or even Nepal. Its MALDIVES something most people in MDP seem to constantly forget.

This event was further marred with the division within MDP, specially by personals like mavota shareef, modee, shihaab and various other members that I cant remember off hand. To further this rift these individuals even went as far as going public with their opposition to such a demonstration. This was no way to strengthen the trust we have on this party. This split was definitely taken advantage by the ruling DRP party by giving them airtime.

I think it was very wise of MDP to call off the gathering. It would have turned out to be like the other failed gathering's of MDP where the turnout is always way lower than expected. Which ultimately strengthens the position of DRP.

However, paradoxically, I think the best thing that happened to MDP is actually this rift and the subsequent departure of these individuals from the party (some of these departures have not been officially made public). First with Ibra, Mavota, Modee, and hopefully Shihaab. These are people who are trying to transform a popular movement to a "real political party". In my view MDP should always remain as a movement. MDP has always garnered much of their support from the youth of this country and the reason being that we saw MDP as a popular MOVEMENT. If MDP was to play the political party game they are doomed to fail. How can they play party politics when DRP owns the majority of the parliament. When DRP owns all the business tycoons of this nation. When DRP owns the budget of this country. All MDP has is the grassroots’ support... The youth who would rule this country one day.

Iliyaas (first lady's brother)- is too old for the Maldivian people on top of his corruption scandals. Yameen (presidents half brother)- has no support from the public, old and young included. He just carries a handful of his business associates. Soon getting too old for the youths liking. He seems to be getting more and more impatient as he knows time is running out for him. Buruma Gasim (Iliyas previous servant boy and today, richest man in Maldives)- Uneducated for our liking, a traitor, and unfairly monopolized Maldives business. The master of killing the small business sector of this nation. The New Maldives boys- they are young and well educated. But I cant help but laugh at these bunch of kids who think the youth of this nation is behind them . We are not blind to see how you are servants of a master. These kids claim to bring change from the inside. The trouble being inside is, once you are inside one fails to see the outside.

Ultimately I think the rift and the failed gathering will strengthen MDP in the long run. This has weeded individuals who are working for their own personal gain. I think with these peoples departure MDP will attract more and more educated youths. This is what MDP needs. Not some sitting ducks on the parliament. Who cares if MDP has parliament members in the party. I certainly do not, because these Parliament members can change nothing- Absolutely nothing. They can argue and boom the halls of the parliament with rhetoric but nothing will ultimately change. A good example is the recent debate on the budget. The so called MPs of MDP failed. Many eventually voted for this fat budget.

Lets look at the budget. The budget was enormous. Now one should ask who is paying for this. Certainly not the resort owners. Certainly not the big businesses. Because the tax on their business has not increased. So ultimately it is the people who will foot the bill. A clever ploy by Burumaa Gasim (the richest man and the finance minister of Maldives) to kill off the medium business. This increase in the budget will slowly increase various government revenue generating mechanisms, eventually depleting the small business. Leaving the large corporations, like Villa, Universal, Lilly, Dimms and various other companies filling the gap. This was the reason why many of MDP MP's voted for it, as these individuals have vested business interest. Watch and see the small to medium business dwindle and be replaced by a few big corporations. I am personally proud of those individuals who voted against the budget. This vote was the perfect reflection of those who are fighting for the people and those who are fighting for the(ir) business interests. I think MDP should publicize the MP's who stood for the people and those who sold out. This was a big deal.......

MDP should stop the party politics and get back to the ideals of a popular movement which it was based on.