MP Haitham leaves MDP citing ‘loss of values’

South Machangolhi MP Ahmed Haitham has left the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

In a letter addressed to the party’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail on Tuesday, Haitham said he decided to leave MDP because the party has walked away from its values.

He said that he had tried to rectify the situation at the Parliament, but failed to receive sufficient support from the party’s leadership.

“I believe it best for myself and this party to leave the party that lacks values,” he said.

The decision by Haitham to leave MDP comes a month after Fonadhoo MP Moosa Siraj also left the party. He recently joined the main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

And in May, Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was dismissed from the party, a day after which 12 MPs loyal to the party’s then-leader, Parliament speaker and former president Mohamed Nasheed left the party, and formed a new party – the Democrats.

Nasheed followed suit in July.

The number of MDP’s MPs at the Parliament has now dropped to 55.