The People’s National Congress (PNC) has seen an extraordinary rise in membership, with the party now on the brink of reaching 100,000 members. According to PNC’s Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, this impressive growth is a direct result of the clear and effective policies put forward by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
A Strong Start: From 3,000 to Nearly 100,000 Members
In an interview following PNC’s internal elections, Abdul Raheem shared that the party’s growth has far exceeded expectations. When reflecting on the party's progress, he pointed to the President’s initial goal of reaching 75,000 members by the end of the first year of his administration. However, the party has outpaced this target by a significant margin.
“In November 2023, we had just around 3,000 members. Now, one year later, we’re on the verge of hitting 100,000,” Abdul Raheem noted. He attributed this success to the hard work and dedication of party members who traveled across the country to engage with people directly.
A Strategy Built on Engagement, Not Financial Incentives
Abdul Raheem was quick to dismiss any claims of unethical membership practices. He stressed that the PNC’s approach has never been about buying memberships or using financial incentives to lure members. Instead, the party focused on genuine engagement with communities.
"We ran energetic membership drives. We didn’t offer money or other incentives for membership. Our approach was to go to the people, work alongside them, and share the President’s vision. We traveled for days in Male’ and the atolls to personally connect with the people," Abdul Raheem explained.
This strategy, which was grounded in trust-building and grassroots engagement, has proven to be highly effective. People joined the party because they believed in the President’s policies and the future he envisions for the nation.
The Power of President Muizzu’s Policies
The surge in PNC’s membership can also be attributed to the widespread belief in President Muizzu’s leadership. Abdul Raheem highlighted the President’s vision for economic development, national unity, and social welfare as central factors that resonated with the public.
“People see the value in what Dr. Muizzu is doing. His policies are practical, forward-thinking, and focused on the well-being of the nation,” Abdul Raheem remarked. “It is this vision that has captured the hearts of so many Maldivians, and it’s driving the rapid expansion of our party.”
Addressing Criticism and Looking Ahead
Despite the overwhelming success of the membership drives, Abdul Raheem acknowledged that criticism from opposition parties is inevitable. “Politics comes with criticism. We accept it and move forward. What matters most is the trust we’ve built with the people,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Abdul Raheem is confident that the PNC will continue to grow, reaching the symbolic 100,000-member mark in the near future. With only a small number of pending membership forms left to process, the party is poised to hit this milestone soon.
“The goal is within reach. Once all the forms are processed, we will have officially surpassed 100,000 members,” Abdul Raheem concluded, adding that this growth will provide the party with the strength to continue pushing for the policies that have already begun to improve the lives of many Maldivians.
As PNC approaches this significant milestone, the party’s leadership remains focused on further solidifying their base and expanding their influence.
