Lawmaker Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim speaking to the press PHOTO:Hussain Waheed/Mihaaru
The disciplinary committee of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) decided Saturday to expel the lawmaker of Thulusdhoo constituency, Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, from the party.
The five-member committee unanimously agreed to dismiss Waheed, who supports Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s faction of the divided PPM, on grounds of working in opposition to the party’s advisor, incumbent President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who now controls the party.
The committee said that the verdict was read in the absence of Waheed who did not respond to the summons sent to him last Wednesday.
The disciplinary committee’s chair, State Minister of Islamic Affairs Ali Waheed, said that Waheed has been voting in violation of the whip lines issued by PPM and government coalition partner Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) in parliament, and that he is actively working to defame the government. Highlighting Waheed’s prominent role in seeking the impending motion of no confidence against parliamentary speaker Abdulla Maseeh, the chair said that the party will dismiss Waheed as he has been working jointly with the opposition.
“We looked at recent circumstances and decided to expel Waheed as he censures the government and President Yameen and lays various allegations [against them].”
PPM’s disciplinary committee holds the authority to advise, warn and expel members from the party. However, should the defendant oppose the committee’s verdict, they have right to appeal the case at the party’s appeal committee.
Meanwhile, the ruling party has expelled Former President Maumoon’s son, Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon, for violating its parliamentary group’s three-line whip. Moreover, MDA’s disciplinary committee has also decided to expel its Nolhivaram MP Hussain Areef for criticising the government in violation of the party’s policy.