MDP cuts perks for Ibrahim Rasheed for whipline violation

Maafannu Central MP Ibrahim Rasheed has been stripped of his party's privileges for violating three whiplines issued by the party's parliamentary group asking lawmakers to vote in a particular way in parliament.

MDP took action against Ibrahim Rasheed for violating three different whiplines issued during the last session of parliament to pass bills:

The party benefits were cut off to the member after each of the whipline violations were examined separately and action was taken. Thus:

According to the three letters signed by MDP's parliamentary group leader and Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam, the party chairperson has been asked to withdraw the benefits given to Ibrahim Rasheed for violating the whipline for the third time. 

However, it was not immediately clear what benefits the party gives.

When asked about his views on the measures taken by the party, Ibrahim Rasheed, one of Nasheed’s faction withinMDP, shared a letter he had sent to PG leader Aslam against the government and openly supporting Speaker Mohamed Nasheed. Explaining why he did not vote according to the whiplines in the letter, he had written:

In the letter, Ibrahim Rasheed also criticised the government for not taking action against some lawmakers who violated the whipline and taking action against certain groups.

"It would be discriminatory to take action against certain members of parliament who did not attend the meeting to vote for the whip issued by the parliamentary group, violated the whip line and those living abroad without taking any action," wrote Ibrahim Rasheed.

He also said that he would apologise only if "a lot of people ask me to apologise".

It is noteworthy that all the letters sent by MDP to Ibrahim Rasheed have been dated last year. Ibrahim Rasheed, however, told Atoll Times that he received the letters through email on Sunday. 

"Yesterday [the whipline violation] mails were sent to everyone," said Ibrahim Rasheed.

Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was also advised by the party for voting against the hike in GST and TGST in violation of the three-line whip passed by the party's parliamentary group.