Breaking News: Gasim says he will run for presidency,

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

Former Finance Minister and Speaker of the People;s Special Majlis Millionaire Gasim Ibrahim has announced he will contest in the upcoming presidential election. Gasim has announced this on an interview given to tv few minutes after President Gayoom ratified the new Constitution. As Speaker of the Special Majlis which will be abolished after ratifying the new Constitution, Gasim was seated with President Gayoom in the first row of the Special Ceremony at Dharubaaruge this morning.

Gasim has said he has joined the newly formed Jumhoory Party and if his party wants, he will be contesting in the presidential election which will be held before 10 October this year. " I am an ordinary member of the party, if the party decides, I am ready to stand in the service of the nation" Gasim said to Maidu daily this morning. President Gayoom will be contesting in the election along presidential candidates from main opposition party MDP, Mohamed Nasheed, Anni, former Attorney General Dr. Hasssan Saeed, President of Liberal Party and Male’ Member Ibrahim Ismail, Ibra, President of Islamic Development Party, IDP Umar Naseer.

Gasim who has resigned from the powerful post of Finance Minister after being severely criticised by the Majlis over the huge budget deficit and his handling of the budget also resigned from President Gayoom’s party DRP, of which Gasim was second Deputy Leader. In the beginning of his cabinet post, Gasim was widely speculated as the potential successor to Gayoom in DRP leadership indicating he will be Gayoom’s choice for a running mate. But relations between Gasim and Gayoom worsened in recent months following Gasim’s growing criticism of Gayoom and his Government.There were continued rumours Gasim will resign from cabinet and form his own party to contest for leadership of the country and these stories have finally come true.

Gasim has been providing lot of help to the people and islands for several years and he was popular among the people. He was also known to be a pioneer in the democratic reform of the country having made many sacrifices and helped the opposition movement with generous financial assistance. But according to political analysts, his popularity political standing has sharply declined after the huge budgets he passed for 2007 and 2008 crashed resulting in many economic hardships and severe inflation. Gasim was also building up his businesses while he was Finance Minister. All these have adversely affected his reputation, and declined his popularity. Analysts believe it will be nearly impossible for Gasim to win the election because of these negative factors. There is also fear of many challenges against him to become a presidential candidate in view of his businesses. There may be complications and impediments in his way to straighten his personal records to meet the strict qualifications set in the Constitution for anyone seeking the office of the President and Vice President. But key members of his party and supporters do not accept this, and they say Gasim will be the winner.

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