Nasheed’s MPs to be removed from committees

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) parliamentary group’s chief whip, North Thinadhoo MP Abdul Mughnee has requested action against MPs in the MDP Fikuregge Dhirun faction for operating a separate parliamentary group apart from the party’s official parliamentary group.

MDP’s leader and Parliament speaker Mohamed Nasheed and MPs loyal to him have been running a separate political movement since his defeat in the party’s presidential primary back in January.

In a letter to the MDP parliamentary group leader, North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam on Tuesday, Mughnee said MPs from the Nasheed-led Fikuregge Dhirun faction were submitting different decrees against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He said they were also working in parliamentary committees against the government.

Mughnee asked to present a motion to the parliamentary group to remove MPs involved in the separate movement from committees and make other changes.

Nasheed’s Fikuregge Dhirun faction has aligned itself with Jumhoory Party (JP) against President Solih’s administration. There are 12 MPs loyal to Nasheed in the Parliament.

Nasheed’s faction refuses to back President Solih in the presidential election slated for September 9, and have announced their support for JP’s presidential candidate Qasim Ibrahim. They are also working on drafting a coalition agreement.