Fonadhoo MP Moosa Siraj who left the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Monday has decided to endorse the opposition candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for the September 9 presidential election.
Siraj posted a photo with Muizzu on social media X and announced his support for the Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition's candidate for the election.
“Even if the MDP candidate got the majority votes in Laamu atoll during the 2018 presidential election, we will change that in this election," he said.
In his resignation letter to MDP chairman Fayyaz Ismail, Siraj requested his removal from the party as he no longer wished to remain as an MDP member.
But he has not disclosed a reason for leaving the ruling party and did not mention the reasons why he decided to endorse Muizzu.
Despite announcing support for Muizzu, Siraj has not yet signed for the PPM.
This is the first time a member has left the ruling party and joined the opposition PPM since the MDP split and formed The Democrats. It was previously thought that Siraj would work with the Democrats.
When the MDP was split into rival factions, Siraj had been rumored to join Speaker Mohamed Nasheed's faction. But at the time Siraj endorsed President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for the MDP's presidential primary.
Siraj's political career began with the 2019 parliamentary elections. He previously worked as a lawyer. He represented former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.
Siraj became known among the public for criticizing the judiciary during former President Abdulla Yameen's administration. He was investigated for criticizing Supreme Court justices.
