A dozen Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs were bribed to join the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said yesterday.
Campaigning in Noonu Manadhoo for the upcoming parliamentary elections, Solih said one purpose of taking 12 MPs to the ruling party was "rendering the Majlis useless."
"[It was part of] the effort begun to render the People's Majlis, one major power determined by the Constitution, useless and consolidate powers. What they did as the first thing was taking your 12 MPs that were elected through our MDP's hard work," Solih said. "We know very clearly how that was done. Money was offered to the two [MPs] here as well. They paid and took 12 MPs. They didn't think anything of it."
Moreover, Solih accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of challenging Parliament by refusing to ratify laws. However, Parliament was safe for the moment because of the MDP majority, he said.
"He is challenging without ratifying laws passed by the People's Majlis. We were able to become safe from that because we have the Majlis majority for now. If we didn't, this government would not accept and abide by anything passed by the People's Majlis," Solih said.
Along with an MP who left the party earlier, 12 MDP MPs signed for the PNC on December 28. President Muizzu said he hoped more MDP MPs would join the PNC.
"I am certain that, encouraged by the decision you made, many more MPs will join these ranks, the national rank," the President said at the time.
