PPM PG leader Ahmed Nihan (L) takes celebratory selfie of PPM lawmakers after halting previous motion of no confidence against parliamentary speaker Abdulla Maseeh last March PHOTO/SOCIAL MEDIA
A stream of lawmakers resigned from ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) on Monday amidst high political tension following the motion of no confidence filed against Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh by the joint opposition last week.
Ten lawmakers of PPM signed the opposition’s resolution to seek no confidence vote, out of which five resigned from the ruling party Monday. They are Thinadhoo North MP Saudhullah Hilmy, Thinadhoo South MP Abdulla Ahmed, Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq, Ihavandhoo MP Ahmed Abdulla and Machangolhi MP Abdulla Sinan.
Mihaaru has found out that Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Musthafa also resigned Monday.
Meanwhile, three other lawmakers out of the ten left PPM last week. They are Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed, Hanimaadhoo MP Hussain Shahudhy and PPM parliamentary group deputy leader Dhangethi MP Ilham Ahmed.
With their resignations, the ruling party’s numbers in parliament have fallen to 35. Along with the five lawmakers of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), the ruling coalition now has total 40 seats in Parliament, losing its previous majority.
Out of the ten PPM members that signed the petition, only Isdhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed and Fuvahmulah North MP Ali Shah still remain in the ruling party.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General has filed a constitutional case at the Supreme Court to rule that any lawmaker who leave their registered political party or join another party would lose their seats in Parliament.