The main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), kicked off its much anticipated ‘Laamarukazee Gulhun’ conference in Kulhudhuffushi City on Saturday morning. The conference, which is set to continue across the country, aims to engage with party council members and discuss concerns surrounding recent amendments to the Decentralization Act.

The MDP leadership, including Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, former Vice President Faisal Naseem, Male' City Mayor Adam Azim, and other prominent figures, gathered in the Bodu Thiladhunmathi region for the conference. The leadership will also visit various islands in HA. Atoll, HDh. Atoll, and Sh. Atoll until Tuesday, engaging with local councils and discussing the implications of the changes.

One of the key points of focus for the MDP is the government's proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act, which the party claims undermine the authority and autonomy of local councils. These proposed changes include plans to reduce the size of councils, which has raised concerns among council members across the country. In a press briefing last week, Ali Niyaz, the chair of the MDP’s decentralization committee, expressed the party’s commitment to decentralization and stated that local councils are deeply worried about these amendments.

During the conference, the MDP leadership will also be working on drafting the party’s new roadmap for the future, aligning their efforts with the party’s goals for local governance and autonomy. The Laamarukazee Gulhun conference is expected to be an ongoing series, with future editions planned in other regions of the country to continue engaging with the public and local authorities.

Photos shared by the MDP’s official X account show a well-attended conference, with members of the MDP’s leadership engaging in discussions about decentralization and the party’s future political vision.

The MDP's stance on decentralization continues to be a central issue as the party moves forward in its political agenda, seeking to strengthen local governance and maintain a balance of power between central and local authorities.