Moosa Manik handing over his membership form to President Yameen PHOTO:Hussain Waheed/Mihaaru
Deputy Speaker of Parliament and lawmaker of Hulhuhenveiru constituency, Moosa Manik, joined ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) late Tuesday.
He signed on as a member in a ceremony attended by the adviser of the party, incumbent President Abdulla Yameen.
Speaking to the press after the signing, MP Moosa said that he took the initiative on the decision and made the request to join the party to President Yameen. He expressed his appreciation for seniors of the party accepting him.
Declaring that PPM is the best political party to work for right now, MP Moosa stated that he believed he could be of good service to the party during this time.
Referring to the results of the Local Council Election held earlier this year, he added that there is a high chance that PPM may win the Presidential Elections 2018 with enough work.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Yameen proclaimed that MP Moosa joining PPM is a source of encouragement to the party. He noted the deputy speaker is next in line for a motion of no confidence being sought by the opposition.
Prior to officially joining PPM on Tuesday, MP Moosa has been recently working in accordance with PPM, including parliament votes.
MP Moosa was notably the former chairperson of main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He was ousted over voting against the party’s three-line whip and his disputes with the party leadership in November 2016.