day visit to India, said: "We do not recognize any political parties. We cannot do so under the present constitution." "Once it (the constitution) is changed, we will work on it," was all Gayoom would say when repeatedly questioned about when a multiparty system would become effective. Last August, Gayoom declared a state of emergency, arrested many pro-democracy activists and used tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters who rallied in a rare show of dissent in the islands' capital, Male. Gayoom was forced to hold parliamentary elections in January in which the MDP claims it won 18 of the 42 seats and pro-government candidates won 22 and independents two. The government says at least 30 of the lawmakers are pro-government and only eight are pro-MDP.
