India persuades Maldives for an early election

India on Thursday persuaded the newly appointed Maldivian government to hold an early election amid the ongoing political turmoil in the Indian Ocean Archipelago. Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, who rushed to the 1,200- atoll nation, discussed with all major stakeholders including President Mohammed Waheed, former President Mohamed Nasheed, leaders of major political parties, the Chief Justice and the Speaker and proposed to have an early election to end the political crisis. Our understanding is that elections would be held as early as considered feasible by all concerned," he said. "The government of the National Unity will work towards the conditions that will permit such elections to take place including any necessary constitutional amendments," Mathai said here in Male. Mathai also urged Nasheed to reconsider the massive rally planned on Friday which is predicted to lead for violence. "The Maldivian Democratic Party, on its part, committed itself to encouraging an atmosphere appropriate to the holding of elections. In this context, we understand that their decision to hold a rally tomorrow is being reconsidered," Mathai added. Following the February 7 controversial power transfer from Nasheed to his vice president, India accepted the new regime as a legitimate government while Nasheed claimed it was coup. The former president vowed to carry out street fight until an early election is announced and had expressed his disappointment at India's stance to accept Waheed's appointment as the president.