President of MDP Mohamed Nasheed has accused the members of MDP's 4th Congress of being elected to the party's branches unlawfully.
He said this while speaking at the MDP's Congress now on its 3rd and final day. His comments caused an uproar in congress where many voiced outrage over the comments.
The initial comments on party branches were made by MDP Vice President Mohamed Shifaz who questioned how many members were elected to their posts through campaigning as written in the party's regulations.
In response to Shifaz's question, MDP MP for Maradhoo Constituency Ibrahim Shareef urged him not to speak in a way that would belittle the congress members.
He went on to say that all the members present were legally elected and this received applause from those present at the session.
Nasheed spoke after Shareef had made his comments.
He said that many members of the congress present were thereafter illegally creating party branches and that this was well known.
Nasheed's comments caused members present at the session to voice their outrage at him. The outrage caused Nasheed to cut short his comments and sit down.
While the uproar continued, the presidency asked for order but many used the opportunity to debate the party's constitution to speak against Nasheed.
Some members said if carrying ballots inside concrete machines and boxes makes elected officials legitimate then they too were lawful.
