Maumoon Matters

It was during the 2008 November election the people decided that the 3 decade of Mr Gayooom’s presidency was superfluous and therefore he shall be deposed. The democratic electoral process which ousted gayoom of stately supremacy was a double edged sword: It slashed the hearts of some into pieces while for others it was the heavenly glue that mended the scattered pieces of their hearts which has been fragmenting over 3o years.

Many political forecasters clairvoyantly, back then, predicted that Maumoon’s failure would result in the inevitable demise of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party. They also envisaged a “Maumoon-Free” political atmosphere in Maldives. They thought DRP would go astray like a motherless child.

On the contrary to the prophecies made, DRP transformed into a party that it never was before. In fact, DRP might now be the only true political party in the Maldives. Wikipedia defines a political party as a political organization that seeks to attain and maintain political power within government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns.

The above definition illustrates the history and the present of DRP. During its heydays DRP’s sole objective was to maintain their political power. When they lost their power and when Maumoon became the ex-president their revised objective was seeking to attain power again; to appoint Maumoon once again as the President.

Truly DRP has retaliated with a vengeance and have slapped on the faces of many on May 9. On that fateful day many were flabbergasted especially the reform minded anti DRP people. The composition of the parliament bears vivid testimony that DRP is back and this time was stronger than ever. Many still contemplates upon HOW DRP managed to secure 35 seats, significantly outnumbering the seats acquired by the ruling party MDP. It also raised another important question. How Strong is MDP?

Regardless of what we think Maumoon is still the most strategic, mastermind politician alive in Maldives. That’s how he ruled over us for 30 years, and that’s how his party tactically procured 35 parliament seats. That is also how he control 2 out of 3 powers of “trias politica”, the judiciary and legislature. The young, zealous and loquacious MPs of DRP reminds me of the suicide bombers of Al-Qaedha or Hamas. They are ready to die or kill for Maumoon. Last night we saw a hint of this truth inside Alivaage.

So, what would be the future of DRP without Maumoon. Will it continue its winning streak or will it take a plunge in a downward spiral? No one quiet knows.
But one thing is certain. Mau-moon is the sun in a blue galaxy called DRP. As long as the sun is there its gravitional force will hold all blue planets stars and asteroids together rotating around Him.

Maumoon’s presence or absence matters both to DRP or MDP.