President Mohamed Muizzu played a major financial role in the then opposition-led “India Out” movement before assuming office, according to ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) MP Mohamed Ismail.
In an interview aired on Friday by a local television station, Ismail, a senior figure in the campaign, said the movement was launched after then-leader Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who headed both the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the PNC, proposed the initiative.
“The decision was implemented by the leadership. I was in charge of it,” Ismail said.
He denied personally funding the campaign, saying he lacked the financial capacity. Funding, he said, came from donations by supporters and businesses.
“Among them, President Muizzu really played the biggest role financially,” Ismail said.
At the time, Muizzu was serving as mayor of Malé City. His mayoral tenure drew accusations of corruption and profiting from the leasing of land, the sale of street parking zones, and city council projects.
Although the “India Out” movement was central to his political platform, Muizzu shifted his stance about a year after taking office in November 2023 by pursuing closer ties with New Delhi. Critics, including some who voted for him on the basis of the campaign, accuse him of betrayal.
Muizzu has sought to downplay his involvement in the movement, saying it was initiated by Yameen and that others merely followed his lead.