The People's National Congress (PNC) has officially become the largest political party in the Maldives, according to PNC Chairman and Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah (Adhurey). Speaking at a membership ceremony last night, Abdul Raheem refuted allegations of unethical recruitment practices, insisting there is no need to “steal people” into the party, which has grown organically due to popular support.
Addressing recent accusations, Abdul Raheem emphasized that the PNC does not pay or pressure individuals to join, contrasting the party’s practices with those of rival organizations. He stated, people who don’t have support resort to paying money and forging signatures to build their membership, adding that PNC members join voluntarily, without coercion.
The PNC’s membership has reportedly surged from 3,022 when it came to power to become the largest political organization in the country in under a year. Abdul Raheem attributed this rapid growth to genuine backing from the public, noting that the PNC’s leadership is composed of experienced figures, including those who helped establish other major political parties like the DRP, PA, and PPM.
Meanwhile, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the PNC of leveraging government resources and ministry employees to expand its ranks. Abdul Raheem responded to these claims by acknowledging that many government ministers and corporate leaders are indeed PNC members. He said it is their responsibility to help strengthen the ruling party, which is common in a multi-party system, defending this practice as standard and permissible.
Abdul Raheem concluded by reiterating the PNC’s commitment to ethical standards, dismissing the allegations as unfounded and stressing that the party’s popularity reflects its broad base of support among the people.
Addressing recent accusations, Abdul Raheem emphasized that the PNC does not pay or pressure individuals to join, contrasting the party’s practices with those of rival organizations. He stated, people who don’t have support resort to paying money and forging signatures to build their membership, adding that PNC members join voluntarily, without coercion.
The PNC’s membership has reportedly surged from 3,022 when it came to power to become the largest political organization in the country in under a year. Abdul Raheem attributed this rapid growth to genuine backing from the public, noting that the PNC’s leadership is composed of experienced figures, including those who helped establish other major political parties like the DRP, PA, and PPM.
Meanwhile, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the PNC of leveraging government resources and ministry employees to expand its ranks. Abdul Raheem responded to these claims by acknowledging that many government ministers and corporate leaders are indeed PNC members. He said it is their responsibility to help strengthen the ruling party, which is common in a multi-party system, defending this practice as standard and permissible.
Abdul Raheem concluded by reiterating the PNC’s commitment to ethical standards, dismissing the allegations as unfounded and stressing that the party’s popularity reflects its broad base of support among the people.
