Councillor quits PPM after disciplinary enquiry over mayor's alleged pres campaign

Male City Council member Adam Rameez quit the opposition PPM on Tuesday after the party launched a disciplinary enquiry into allegations that he had been leading a covert campaign to secure the party's presidential ticket to Male mayor Dr Mohamed Muizz.

Members of the PPM Senate have said that the party is looking into the disciplinary case against Rameez at the behest of the party's president, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom who is currently serving an 11-year jail sentence for money laundering and accepting a bribe. 

The committee began an investigation into the disciplinary case of Rameez, who represents central Henveiru constituency in the council, following a complaint filed with the committee alleging that he was trying to get the PPM presidential ticket for Muizz.

According to some members of PPM’s senate, Rameez's case was referred to the disciplinary committee at Yameen's request. The disciplinary committee recorded Rameez's statement in the case on Tuesday.

According to trusted sources, Yameen had in a note sent to the PPM leadership claimed that Rameez was trying to sabotage his presidential ticket, which had been awarded to him by the senate. 

Rameez is one of the closest aides to Muizz, who also serves as the vice-president of PPM. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations.

There are divisions within the party over the presidential ticket as Yameen may not be able to contest the upcoming presidential elections. While the party has denied this, Atoll Times has learnt that some members of the leadership are trying to nominate an alternate candidate in case Yameen fails his appeal.