The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has denied rumors about Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa leaving the party and joining the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
A photo of Ghafoor signing a party membership form alongside Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla (Mosta) circulated on social media on Wednesday night.
After the MDP denied the rumors, Ghafoor told Adhadhu that he “remains strong with MDP.”
“It is a lie that I signed for another party. It is a claim that people are spreading to create discord,” he said.
Ghafoor, who previously worked in the military as a security official for former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, was first a member of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP). He later switched to the MDP.
Rumors of Ghafoor joining the PPM started after the opposition party defeated the MDP in the presidential election. Several MDP MPs are said to be on the verge on switching to the PPM.
Ghafoor was a prominent voice in parliament in defense of the MDP after former President Mohamed Nasheed and other MPs left the party.
The MPs who left formed a party called The Democrats and became the minority party in parliament. But the MDP remains the majority party.
