Muizzu’s preoccupation with consolidating his hold over PPM-PNC (Progressive Party of Maldives-People’s National Congress) and securing his five-year tenure is also fuelling this anti-India rhetoric. Being the last candidate to participate in the elections from the PPM-PNC, Muizzu has managed to sideline and eventually oust his prime threat, that is, former president Abdulla Yameen Gayoom.
Yet, to consolidate his power, he is promoting his inexperienced loyalists and activists to crucial portfolios. It is no coincidence that today, Muizzu’s administration has more than 200 deputy and state ministers, putting rational decision-making and administration in the backseat. The racist slurs by the deputy ministers and Muizzu’s hesitancy to take strict action against them fearing repercussions indicate that domestic politics are taking precedence over rational decisions in the country.
In addition, the PPM-PNC’s preference for China and China’s keen interest in making inroads in…