Eka Kherkheulidze, an MP of the United National Movement opposition party on Thursday called on her colleagues inside the largest opposition group to focus on the health issue of the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili. 

Responding to the recent demands of several members of the party over the need for inter-party elections for the UNM leadership, Kherkheulidze said that raising the issue now could overshadow the “vitally important” topics related to Saakashvili’s health. 

She suggested that “Saakashvili’s fate is being decided at this moment”. 

Several of the UNM members called for the inter-party race early on Wednesday, with incumbent chair Nika Melia said he was ready for elections. 

Melia also criticized his party members for the “unexpected briefing” on the issue which was being discussed inside the party.