Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that Adhaalath party Leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla, Jumhooree Party Leader Qasim Ibrahim and MNP President Mohamed Nazim had refused to terminate the GMR agreement.

Speaking at a function held at PPM's head office last night, Yameen said although the opposition leaders had worked against the government's efforts to lease the main airport to GMR, they later changed their minds.

Speaking with the crowd, Yameen noted that the political leaders refused to revoke the GMR airport agreement during President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik's administration after nasheed's presidency ended. During his speech, Yameen spoke stated that Dr Waheed and Dr Hassan Saeed were the two figures who worked against the GMR agreement during Nasheed's presidency. 

He also said that during Dr Waheed's administration PPM had requested twice for the removal of GMR from the main airport. 

Yameen also went on to explain that the political leaders agreed to take over the airport from GMR when a bill was passed during the Nasheed regime. He also said that he, Qasim Ibrahim and other politicians were arrested during former President Mohamed Nasheed's administration for their efforts against GMR.

Yameen said that PPM was working against India on the same day and that there was one person in the same group on that day as well. He also noted that PPM would be able to see the vision on the same day.

In 2009, the Government decided to hand over the Management and control of Velana International Airport to a private company. However, later the contract was terminated during Dr Mohamed Waheed's administration and the government of Maldives had to pay a compensation of USD 270 million.