A large number of members from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) left the party to join the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) as the government pushes ahead with plans to dissolve the second-largest political party in the country.

Membership drives were held in different regions across the country over the weekend where government officials and MPs representing the government encouraged PPM members to sign up to PNC.

Members of the PPM-PNC coalition earlier told Adhadhu that the efforts to dissolve PPM were launched following a decision from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and PNC Chairman and Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla.

Sourced told Adhadhu that the request to dissolve PPM will be formally submitted after a large number of PPM members are transferred to the PNC.

Although some of the party's leaders do not support the dissolution of the PPM, they are afraid to speak out against it.

According to the latest data released by the Elections Commission (EC), the PPM had 34,827 members and PNC had 28,704 members by July 28.

Despite President Muizzu coming to power with the PNC ticket, PPM was the main party in the PPM-PNC coalition. PPM's color was used in the presidential campaign and PPM members were more active during the campaign.

However, the PNC now appears to be the main party. Candidates from the PPM-PNC coalition were not allowed to run in the parliamentary elections on the PPM ticket. There are 75 MPs representing the PNC in the current Parliament.