Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee said on Thursday that political parties should select their representatives for the government initiated all-party talks with consent from their councils.
The government said the talks were initiated in the interest of progress, development and national unity.
Late last month, the President’s Office requested the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Adhaalath Party for the details of those who would act as representatives in the all-party talks, which is aimed at resolving the country’s political crisis.
Dr. Shainee, the chief government representative to the all-party talks, said “the government will not accept representatives that are not approved by party councils.”
His comments come amid criticism over the condition set by the President’s Office. Opposition Adaalath Party has called on the government not to set pre-conditions for the talks while the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives, PPM says its representatives will be selected by leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
In response, Dr Shainee said “it is not a pre-condition but an administrative decision made based on the experiences of the previous rounds of talks that had failed to yield any progress.” He also called on PPM to adhere to the government’s decision and select representatives with consent from its council.
The Government is working to resume all-party talks during this month.