PNC removes Nazim as Dhiggaru constituency president
Dhauru has learned that the decision was communicated during a PNC Senate meeting held on 2 June.
Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim has been removed from his position as President of the People’s National Congress (PNC) branch in the constituency, days after resigning as Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Dhauru has learned that the decision was communicated during a PNC Senate meeting held on 2 June. The meeting was chaired by President Mohamed Muizzu in his capacity as party president.
According to Senate members who spoke to Dhauru, the party leadership exercised powers available under the Senate’s internal regulations to remove Nazim from the post. The specific reason for the decision has not been disclosed.
Under current PNC regulations, a sitting member of parliament who belongs to the party automatically serves as president of the party branch in the constituency they represent. Nazim assumed the position by virtue of being the elected representative for Dhiggaru.
Nazim resigned as Deputy Speaker on 31 May while a motion seeking his removal was pending in Parliament.
The ruling PNC parliamentary group had approved a no-confidence declaration against him on 13 May and subsequently submitted a resolution seeking his dismissal from the post.
The resolution alleged that Nazim had repeatedly attempted to create discord and disrupt harmony within Parliament.
Nazim rejected the allegations and said there was no evidence to support the claims. He stated that he resigned because the members who had elected him to the position had formally requested his removal.
Before the no-confidence motion was submitted, Nazim was removed from a WhatsApp group comprising President Muizzu and members of the PNC parliamentary group. President Muizzu is the sole administrator of the group.
Nazim's departure from the Deputy Speaker position has since become the subject of political debate.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed claimed that Nazim was being targeted because he was allegedly involved in efforts by a group of PNC lawmakers to impeach President Muizzu.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has also stated that several ruling party MPs are prepared to join the opposition, while former President Abdulla Yameen has argued that the President lacks support from many members within the ruling party.
The three former presidents have recently announced a joint opposition initiative, which has received the backing of the Maldivian Democratic Party National Council and the council of the People's National Front.
The PNC has not publicly commented on Nazim's removal as constituency president.
