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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Maldives: Is a reunified MDP a threat to President Muizzu's second-term ambitions?
The main challenge to Mohamed Muizzu's bid for a second term as Maldivian president comes from a re-unified Maldivian Democratic Party, which has set aside internal divisions down to the grassroots level and is actively re-engaging neutral and swing voters read more The fast-tracked reunification of the Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the first pro-democracy electoral entity in the country, has opened both opportunities and challenges. The 'opportunities' flow from the previous presidential poll tally of 2023, when incumbent Ibrahim 'Ibu' Solih of the MDP lost his re-election bid by around eight per cent vote-share. The margin was close to the votes polled by the candidate of the breakaway Democrats party, floated by Solih's estranged friend and the nation's first pro-democracy president, Mohammed 'Anni' Nasheed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The challenge is in the form of the re-unified party burying past differences down to the cadre level and also re-energising neutral/swing voters. The latter have made a difference to the outcome by choosing a new president every five years since the nation became a multi-party democracy in 2008. Their indifference showed in 2023, in the form of a relatively lower turnout compared to the 90-plus per cent in the past. If critics are to be believed, closer to completing two years in office in November, incumbent President Mohamed Muizzu has used the constitutional process to 'stifle democracy', as his political mentor and former President Abdulla Yameen had allegedly attempted but failed in his re-election bid in 2018. The hurried passage of an anti-defection law even when his ruling People's National Congress (PNC) held a 'super majority' in the 93-member Parliament, or the People's Majlis, coupled with the last-minute suspension of three of the seven Justices of the Supreme Court hearing a constitutional challenge to the law, forcing the resignation of one of them and the subsequent sacking of the other two without a fair hearing, are cited as examples to Muizzu's anti-democracy acts. In part, the name of the game is 'packing' the higher judiciary with 'pliable judges', and no president before incumbent Muizzu can escape the charge. But they did not initiate an anti-defection law, which did face initial reservations, however limited, from within the ruling PNC, too. Incidentally, this is the second such law in the past decade, Parliament having repealed the earlier one passed during the Yameen presidency—after he lost his re-election bid in 2018. Democracy issues, thus, coupled with the economic crisis that is said to be engulfing the nation and the government, are the planks on which the MDP now hopes to hit the track for the next presidential outing that is still three years down the line, in 2028. In different ways, the long wait is also a problem for the re-unified MDP as much as it is for the government and the Muizzu leadership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Already, former President Solih, who is yet to declare his intent on contesting the party primaries for the next presidential poll, has called for the MDP to prioritise the nationwide island council elections, (due) next March/April, over the presidential poll. Independent of the complex interpretation of the outcomes as in the past, the island council polls will still be seen as a midterm referendum on the Muizzu presidency. It will also test the acceptance level of MDP reunification and also Nasheed's famed charisma that failed him the last time round. Internal issue An internal issue may be brewing for the MDP in the form of party chairman Fayyaz Ismail's announcement that they intended abolishing the post of party president—or merge both—at the party's national congress in August. Solih's foreign minister and veteran diplomat, Abdulla Shahid, the only Maldivian to be elected president of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), is at present the party president nominated by predecessor Solih—without any formal election. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Of greater interest is Fayyaz Ismail's announcement that no party official should hold an elected or nominated position in the government, including the presidency, ministerial office, or Parliament membership. Both prior to the advent of democracy in 2008 and afterwards, every person elected president has held the headship of the ruling party—with no space for dissent and internal democracy, either in the government or in the ruling organisation. The problem became acute when, during the Solih presidency, Nasheed continued as the MDP chief and also became Parliament Speaker until he quit to form the Democrats party. Both Solih and Shahid have reserved their comments on the proposed amendments to the party constitution even though they joined Fayyaz Ismail in welcoming reunification and also Nasheed back to the fold. Definitely, Nasheed's return home from his overseas job, heading an international climate group, has re-energised party politics in the country. By the same token, it has also brought out the simmering differences within the MDP more than since the party lost power in 2023. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For instance, Solih's first major rally in two years, in northern Kulhudhuffushi recently, was a solo performance. Neither party chairman Fayyaz nor president Shahid was present. Both, incidentally, were Solih's blue-eyed boys when he was president. In fact, after Solih's defeat in 2023, open accusations were hurled at Fayyaz from within the party for messing up both organisational affairs and as minister for economic development. The MDP cadre expectation is that it is for Muizzu to lose owing to perceptions of his becoming unpopular already. Hence, whoever the MDP selects as its presidential candidate will (have to) win, no matter his charisma and capabilities. For now, the hopes are that all four factions would work together once the party elects a presidential candidate through the primaries in early 2028. However, there are apprehensions that the three or four factions, including that of Nasheed, may run a deep divide down the line during primaries for the selection of nominees for the island councils across the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The question is if the faction leaders would patch up their differences for the time and postpone it until after the local council primaries and elections and have consensus candidates of some kind for those positions. This alone, it is said, can ensure a decent result for the MDP in the local council elections—where the ruling party, according to precedents, has held an inherent advantage. Incidentally, Solih's first major rally in two years, at northern Kulhudhuffushi, had to be indefinitely postponed following heavy rains. The rains and high winds also disrupted leaders and cadres travelling from the capital, Male. Fayyaz and Shahid were said to be on the list of travellers to the northern island. Advantage Muizzu, but… Unless otherwise proved and unless the divided Opposition is able to make out a very strong, multi-pronged case against the incumbent leadership, it may still be 'Advantage Muizzu', at least in the island council elections. He will then have to reaffirm his desire to seek re-election. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For the MDP, it is not just about unity within the merged party. It also involves their ability to work with other, smaller/weaker political outfits with a certain electoral reach. It's an occasion also for Nasheed, personally, to try and regain his faded charisma. In focus is the traditional 40-plus per cent 'conservative vote bank' that Muizzu inherited without effort from Yameen after the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission's decision to reject the latter's presidential nomination in 2023, citing a pending court-ordered conviction and sentence. As the 2018 results showed, despite the perceived anti-incumbency flowing from his five years in office, Yameen still retained almost all of that vote-bank despite losing his reelection bid. Solih, as the common Opposition candidate, has remained the only one thus far to win the presidency in the first round in what essentially is a two-phase poll otherwise. Those 'conservative votes' constituted the 2008 losing figure of half-brother Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the controversial president for 30 long years, which he could effortlessly transfer to Yameen in Elections-2013, thus contributing to the latter's victory over Nasheed for the MDP. Gayoom lost the vote bank, which comprised socio-economic beneficiaries of his presidency and also religious conservatives as different from fundamentalists, after he shook hands with the MDP in the 2018 elections. That followed Gayoom's irreconcilable estrangement with Yameen, who also ordered his arrest and also those of two Supreme Court Justices, for allegedly plotting to overthrow him. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There is nothing yet to show that much, if not all of that 'inherited vote-bank' of Muizzu has deserted him or is likely to desert him, be it in the island council polls or later in the presidential election, or both. Going by Gayoom's 2018 experience, any suggestion that Yameen loyalists still on Muizzu's side cross-vote for an MDP candidate, for instance, can be counter-productive. The incumbent, however, may face vote depletion if a powerful candidate from Yameen's new outfit, the People's National Front (PNF), or a strong rival from within Muizzu's PNP, or both, are able to slice away votes from Muizzu without possibly being able to win the presidential poll. That is pending Yameen's two court cases originating in his presidential years, on which final judicial outcomes are not ordinarily expected before nomination time for the next presidential poll, too—as was the case the last time round. In the final analysis, the coming months and years will hopefully witness a revival of Maldivian street interest in politics and elections that is still patently lacking—also owing to the economic downturn that in turn has hit every individual and household. Not very long ago, opposition rallies, as the pre-unification MDP's daily 'pro-democracy protests' in the capital, Male, failed miserably after a good start. In the multi-party democracy that Maldives has been since 2008, the youth constitute the single largest electoral constituency. Unlike the Muizzu presidency, earlier governments at least attempted to match youth aspirations and employability, including willingness to accept jobs on offer in the mainstay tourism sector, which otherwise attracts foreigners, leading to avoidable shortages of scarce forex, too. Indian consistency A section of the media in the two countries has since reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the country this year and will be the chief guest at Maldivian Independence Day, falling on 26 August. Certainly, it will mark a very welcome departure for both countries, and more especially for the Maldivian people and businesses after President Muizzu revised and recalibrated his 'India Out' poll campaign after taking certain unimaginative decisions and indefensible declarations in his early months in the office. India has always reiterated its consistent and considered position that it would work with the government that Maldivians elect and that New Delhi's help, assistance, and cooperation are addressed to the Maldivian people (through the agency of an elected government). Hence, there is less likelihood of Modi's visit, when it comes through, influencing domestic politics one way or the other, as some in Maldives may have concluded, imagined, or felt anxious about. In between, Maldivians, especially incumbent Muizzu, had to decide if they wanted to go ahead with his forgotten proposals for presidential poll reforms, which also included simultaneous elections to the presidency and Parliament, if only to deflect the nation's attention away from economic issues. MDP's Nasheed, for his part, and the party as a whole will have to decide if they still have the stomach for a parliamentary form of government with a figurehead president. It was over this issue that Nasheed had snapped ties with the parent party and Solih. Yet, at the end of the day, the question is if the reunited MDP is a threat to Muizzu's dream run for a second term. The answer is far away, as has always been the case with Maldivian presidential polls since democratisation in 2008—but the question has been thrown in far too early, with speculation running riot between now and the polling day. The writer is a Chennai-based Policy Analyst & Political Commentator. Email: sathiyam54@ Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Nagpur violence: Key accused Fahim Khan granted conditional bail
Fahim Shamim Khan (38), president of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP) and one of the key accused in the March 17 Mahal violence in Nagpur, has been granted conditional bail by the district and sessions court. His lawyer Ashwin Ingole confirmed it. District Judge Ajay Kulkarni, while granting him bail on Friday, imposed strict conditions. Khan has been directed to report to the Ganeshpeth police station twice a month, cooperate with the ongoing investigation and court proceedings, and furnish a surety bond of Rs 1 lakh. Khan had been booked by Ganeshpeth police under a wide range of serious charges, including multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023), the Explosive Substances Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, the Arms Act, and others related to incitement and unlawful assembly. Advocate Nitin Telgote, the district government pleader, said Khan was granted bail on the grounds of parity, as over 68 other accused in the same case were given bail earlier this month under similar terms. However, he added that it remains uncertain when the trial will begin. The violence in Mahal had reportedly erupted after members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly burnt an effigy of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. In protest, Fahim Khan and dozens of others had gathered outside the Ganeshpeth police station demanding action against the right-wing groups. Later that day, according to the prosecution, Khan allegedly incited a mob of over 500 people through provocative speeches and messages shared via a WhatsApp group. The crowd allegedly attacked police personnel, vandalised vehicles and public property. Several officers were injured, and there were also reports of woman officers being manhandled. Khan had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections against Union minister Nitin Gadkari and had secured 1,000 votes.
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Empower nurses, says SOA Vice-President
Bhubaneswar: Nurses, who play a critical role in healthcare, need to be empowered through leadership training to face the increasing demands in this sphere, said Saswati Das, Vice-President of Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA), here on Wednesday. 'Leadership in nursing is about making informed decisions in critical situations, creating a positive work culture and adapting to constant changes in the healthcare environment,' Das said while speaking as the chief guest at the Management Development Programme (MDP). The programme was organised by the Institute of Business and Computer Studies (IBCS), faculty of management sciences of SOA, focusing on nursing leadership. Das said nurses were at the heart of patient care while leadership in nursing was vital to ensure safety, efficiency and compassion in healthcare delivery. 'A true leader in nursing not only manages tasks but also motivates teams, communicates effectively and advocates for both patients and staff,' she said. Das said in the face of increasing demands on the health systems, empowering nurses through leadership training was no longer optional but was essential. She said the programme provided nurses a platform to grow, share experiences and build the confidence to lead with integrity andempathy. SOA Vice Chancellor Pradipta Kumar Nanda underlined the importance of nurses in the healthcare system.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
MDP secures new Investment led by Lorax Capital and leading investors
Cairo, Egypt – MDP, a leading payments technology infrastructure group in the Middle East and Africa, is pleased to announce a new phase of growth following a strategic investment led by Lorax Capital Partners ('LCP'). The transaction marks the exit of long-time partner AfricInvest, whose support has been instrumental to the group's expansion in recent years. MDP delivers a fully integrated, one-stop-shop payments technology infrastructure ecosystem from card issuing, processing to cloud-native digital solutions through industry-leading developer platforms and embedded fintech capabilities to over 200 banks and 60 fintechs across Africa and the Middle East. To date, MDP has processed over 1 billion transactions and issued over 350 million cards and continues to support the region's financial inclusion and digital transformation efforts. The new investment, led by LCP, is backed by a consortium of global development financial institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Proparco, subsidiary of the French AFD Group, focused on private sector development. Their involvement underscores a shared commitment to advancing financial infrastructure and digital innovation across the region. 'This investment marks a pivotal milestone in MDP's journey,' said Ahmed Nafie, Co-founder and CEO of MDP. 'We are proud of the robust platform and trusted reputation we've built across 40+ countries. With the backing of Lorax and a distinguished group of global institutional investors, we are well-positioned to accelerate our expansion, deepen our processing capabilities, and further scale our operations across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. We also extend our sincere thanks to AfricInvest for their instrumental role in supporting our strategic growth and regional leadership.' This transaction marks the successful exit of AfricInvest, a leading pan-African private equity firm that has been a valuable partner in MDP's journey. Leveraging its extensive regional platform spanning 38 African countries, AfricInvest provided MDP with strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a network of key stakeholders in the financial services and fintech sectors. Throughout its investment, AfricInvest has driven operational enhancements, strategic partnerships, and value creation initiatives that have positioned MDP as a cornerstone in the region's fintech landscape. 'We believed in MDP's ability to pivot into payment processing and played a key role in transforming the company from a pure industrial player to a technology-driven leader. Today, MDP stands as a vital partner in Egypt's fintech and banking ecosystem, actively contributing to the country's financial inclusion strategy,' said Ismail Talbi, Senior Partner at AfricInvest. Skander Oueslati, Chief Investment Officer at AfricInvest, added, 'Our commitment to fostering regional connectivity and supporting portfolio companies in their pan-African expansion was a driving force in our partnership with MDP. We opened doors in sub-Saharan Africa, helping MDP to establish local partnerships and presence, paving the way for further growth'. Commenting on the partnership between MDP and the consortium, Mohamed Sadek, Managing Partner at LCP added 'We are excited to be backing MDP's founders in realizing their strategic vision of becoming the partner of choice for financial institutions across the region. We are confident that LCP and its highly experienced co-investors will play an important role during MDP's next phase of growth which will focus on further investments in technology, expanded product offering and geographic expansion.' About MDP: MDP is a leading card-issuing & digital processing platform. It enables businesses to roll out their financial solutions with end-to-end payment infrastructure offerings – from personalized card production to financial transaction processing and digital payment solutions. MDP empowers over 200 banks and 60 fintechs, supporting their growth with robust, scalable, and secure technology. With more than 30 years of market presence, MDP is acknowledged for accelerating payment experiences through a tech-driven approach. The company embraces the global adoption of innovative fintech solutions that provide seamless omni-channel customer experiences. Headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, MDP has an extended footprint in more than 40 countries globally. For further information on MDP, reach out to: Contactus@ About AfricInvest AfricInvest is a leading pan-African investment platform active in multiple alternative asset classes including private equity, venture capital, private credit, blended finance, and listed equities. Over the past thirty years, we have raised USD 2.3 billion to finance more than 230 companies at various development stages, delivering value and impact for our investors, portfolio companies, and the communities we serve. Our 100-strong team of investment experts in more than ten offices across three continents has a proven track record of providing attractive risk-adjusted returns while spurring productivity growth, creating jobs, and ultimately improving African lives through inclusive and sustainable development. For further information on AfricInvest, contact About Lorax Capital Partners Lorax Capital Partners ('LCP') is an Egypt-based private equity firm with a strong track record in growth investments and a team that has executed transactions worth over USD 46 billion. LCP brings deep expertise in the financial services sector in the Middle East and Africa, and partners with founders with long-term strategic vision and exceptional operational capabilities. For further information on LCP, contact info@
India Today
26-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
IIM Raipur launches 3 mini courses for aspiring managers. Sign up now
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, renowned for shaping future business leaders, is set to launch a dynamic series of Management Development Programmes (MDPs) in June 2025. Tailored for working professionals and senior executives, these programmes are designed to sharpen strategic thinking and enhance domain expertise across key areas of on high-impact areas like finance, machine learning, leadership, and marketing, the MDPs will be led by IIM Raipur's accomplished faculty. These sessions blend academic insight with real-world problem-solving, offering a practical and immersive learning experience aligned with evolving industry out the full list of all 53 programmes Commenting on the initiative, IIM Raipur Director Professor Ram Kumar Kakani said, 'In today's fast-changing business environment, where data is abundant and disruption is constant, organisations require leaders who are agile, analytical, and visionary. Our MDPs are not mere classroom sessions—they are transformational experiences. These programmes help bridge the critical skill gaps in areas like finance, leadership, and data intelligence, empowering participants to lead with clarity and purpose across sectors.' Participants can expect to engage in interactive case discussions, explore practical frameworks, and connect with experienced academicians. Whether you're in the corporate world or the public sector, these MDPs provide valuable tools and insights to lead effectively in today's competitive you're looking to stay ahead in your career and make a meaningful impact within your organisation, IIM Raipur's June 2025 MDP series is your opportunity to do so.
