The infighting between MPs of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) is growing and some MPs have vowed to reject bills proposed by the government, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Mauroof Zakir has said.
Speaking at a rally held by the MDP on Thursday, Mauroof said PNC MPs were representing two ideologies in Parliament.
"This is something we should be happy about. There is a lot of difference of opinion among PNC MPs. Some MPs are telling us, while under the umbrella, that they will vote red for some bills," he said.
Mauroof said PNC MPs were complaining that they were unable to face the people of their constituencies although they received monthly MVR 50,000 from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
"Even if you give us MVR 50,000, we don't dare to visit the constituency. Because development projects have stopped. Nothing is progressing," the MP for Kendhoo said at the MDP campaign hall in Male'.
Mauroof also indicated that the ruling party's parliamentary group was divided into two with MPs in one faction backing President Muizzu while MPs in the second faction were loyal to Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla.
"There will be conflict in parliament. I have no doubt that the PNC's Parliament will be divided in no time," he warned.
There have been rumours of conflict within the ruling PNC. Adhadhu earlier reported on disagreements between MPs in a WhatsApp Group.
Similar issues surfaced during the former MDP government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Some MPs were loyal to Solih while others rallied behind Parliament Speaker former President Mohamed Nasheed.
In the end, Nasheed left MDP and formed the Democrats. The split in MDP was one of the main reasons for the party's defeat in last year's presidential election.
