Nilandhoo MP Khaleel joins PPM

Nilandhoo MP Abdulla Khaleel has signed for the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). MP Khaleel was elected to the 18th parliament as an independent candidate.

MP Kaleel signed for PPM at an event in Muliaage attended by President Abdulla Yameen today.

President Yameen, speaking at the event, described MP Khaleel as a person with the capacity to do constructive work and said MP Khaleel is in touch with the islands and the atolls.

He further said that PPM will seek to increase its strength in parliament and acquire a clear majority, and that the government will have a better advantage of implementing its projects with a better majority in parliament.

Speaking at the event MP Khaleel said that he started his political career with PPM members and that he supports the government’s economic policies in particular.

Khaleel joining PPM brings the party's strength in parliament to 38 MPs. With 5 MPs from the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), PPM and MDA now have a combined strength of 43 MPs. The new parliament has a total of 85 MPs.

MP Khaleel won the Nilandhoo seat by beating PPM candidate Muhsin Hameed (Jayfor). Khaleel signing for PPM leaves Madaveli MP Muaz Mohamed Rasheed as the only independent MP in parliament.