The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has warned that parliament members who sign an opposition motion for the impeachment of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be expelled from the party.
The main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) joined with Jumhooree Party (JP) and Maldives National Congress (MNC) to begin the impeachment motion.
However, a faction within the ruling MDP is also supporting the opposition campaign. The ‘Fikurehge Dhirun’ faction is backed by parliament speaker and former president Mohamed Nasheed.
The deputy chairperson of MDP Ibrahim Waheed ‘Madhanee Iburey’ told Adhadhu that MPs who support the impeachment motion are already expelled “according to the party constitution.”
“MDP constitution clearly states how members will be expelled from the party. If members take part in the activities of another political party, they will be expelled. So in essence, they are no longer members of MDP,” he said.
Waheed said the cases of such members will be submitted to the disciplinary committee and their expulsion will be carried out within the guidelines. The process will begin once the impeachment motion is sent to the People’s Majlis, he added.
Last week, the opposition parties submitted a no-confidence motion against Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath. Some 15 MPs signed the motion, including members of the ‘Fikurehge Dhirun’ faction from MDP.
A no confidence motion needs the backing of 10 MPs to be initiated and requires two-third or 43 votes to win, but the government currently holds the majority seats in the People’s Majlis.
The opposition accuses the government of giving up part of the Maldives territorial waters after acknowledging Chagos is a part of Mauritius. The disputed territory between the Maldives and Mauritius was demarcated at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
Translated by Saya Ahmed
