Pro-govt MPs call for JP officials to quit after election announcement

Right after the Jumhooree Party (JP) announced that it would contest this year's election separately, pro-government lawmakers on Wednesday demanded that JP politicians in the current government should step down from their posts.

JP decided to contest the September 9 presidential election separately, at the party's council meeting held on Tuesday.

Since JP is part of the ruling coalition, questions are being raised about the future of JP official in government posts under the coalition agreement and how President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will deal with JP.

During Wednesday's parliamentary debate on a motion on the development of regional ports submitted by Kulhudhuffushi North MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, Thinadhoo South MP Abdulla Saneef called for the resignation of JP officials 

Saneef congratulated JP leader Gasim Ibrahim on his announcement that his party would contest the presidential election separately.

"However, I would like to point out that from today onwards, those in government positions should resign from today," he said.

He also questioned how politicians selected for JP slots in the current situation "can they serve the people" while campaigning for another candidate. 

"I'm saying this in the public interest," Saneef said.

He reiterated that JP has every right to contest elections. Saneef, however, said that rivals should not hold ministerial and other positions.

"According to the moral standards, the best course of action for such people is to resign," he said.

"If you don't resign and want to serve in the government, how can Ibrahim Mohamed Solih serve the people as president without removing them from their posts."

Supporting Saneef's remarks, Makunudhoo MP Mohamed Rai also demanded the resignation of JP officials holding government posts.

"From today onwards, all those in JP slots should resign," he said.

Responding to the remarks, Gasim said that the ruling coalition will remain in place till November 18 as agreed. He added that JP's decision to back away  from an alliance with President Solih in the upcoming presidential elections was not a reason to break the existing coalition.

He said while some MPs were talking about the need for those holding government posts in JP slots to resign, they should consider whether JP was given "even half" under the coalition agreement.

"I would say from a point of view that it is shameful to talk about resigning from the posts that have already been given, but it is not a shame at all. We have signed an agreement that will last till November 18 this year. If the coalition has to be dissolved, then the honourable president should also resign," Gasim said.

"I will not ask anyone to resign before November 18 this year."

The owner of tourism-to-retail Villa Group said that under the coalition agreement, each party is allowed to contest the September 9 presidential elections separately.

"I think that's the point of forming independent political parties too," he said.

Following JP council's decision, Minister at the President's Office Ahmed Sameer, who led the formation of JP, announced his decision to quit the party.

JP members in the cabinet include: