MDP MPs fume over time allocation to ex-party members

MDP lawmakers have expressed their displeasure over the parliament's decision to allocate time from MDP's slot for 12 lawmakers who left the ruling coalition's main party. 

A dozen lawmakers belonging to speaker Mohamed Nasheed's faction quit the party on Wednesday after the expulsion of Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim from MDP on Tuesday. With this, they started the process of forming a new political party called Fikuregge Dhirun.

Starting the second term of the year after a two-week recess, Nasheed announced that the Elections Commission (EC) had informed the parliament that Azim had been expelled from the party. With this, he pointed out, there would be a change in the number of parliamentary groups in the Majlis.

Soon after, Nasheed announced that the EC had informed that 12 lawmakers had defected from the party as well.

"However, they, as per the rules of the parliament, have to write to the parliament that they have left MDP, the Maldivian People's Democratic Party. The party they represent will only be changed after that," he said.

As Nasheed said, according to the rules of parliament:

MDP MP from Thinadhoo South Constituency Abdulla Saneef questioned why there has been no change in the composition of MDP members in parliamentary committees when the 12 lawmakers have left the party on their own.

When he raised the question, the party had already proposed compensation for its members in the party’s parliamentary group. Some of the changes include:

Saneef asked Nasheed why the committees would not change until the 12 defecting lawmakers did not submit it on their own, even though Nasheed had said that the expulsion of Azim from the party would change things.

"The 12 MPs parted ways over the issue, that too has been conveyed by the Election Commission. However, if they don't write the letter on their own, what rules of parliament demands it?," Saneef asked.

Nasheed, however, had only said that Azim's exit would change the way parties are represented in parliament and the numbers. He did not talk about any change in the committee.

Article 33 of the parliamentary rules of procedure says that the parliamentary group of parties has the right to transfer the members appointed by parties to the standing committees of the parliament from one committee to another.

Section 133 of the rules says:

The parliament heated up as Nasheed allowed the MPs who had defected from the party time to debate. However, since the MPs themselves did not inform parliament about it, all the 12 MPs are still in the MDP list.

Maafannu West MP Mohamed Falah asked the speaker what rules would allow Ibrahim Rasheed to hold a debate within the time available to MDP.

However, Nasheed did not say anything specific to the issue and once again allowed Ibrahim Rasheed to continue the debate. With that, Falah then started shouting. He was joined in by Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam, who raised the same issue and began shouting as well.

After Ibrahim Rasheed, the chair gave another chance to Kulhudhuffushi North MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, who left the party as well. As Rozaina continued to raise her voice, Yasir couldn't take the conversation forward.

With this, the chair asked Rozaina to leave the floor after hearing Rozaina's name. Saying she "won't leave," rozaina continued to protest. Therefore, the house was adjourned till Rozaina left.

When the session resumed soon, Rozaina was still there. Therefore, the Chair continued the session on grounds that she was not present for the purpose of regulation.

When Yasir started speaking again, Thinadhoo North MP Abdul Mughnee began shouting. After the Chair counselled him, his name was also announced. The session was then held keeping in mind that he was also not present in the meeting.

In a series of tweets, Rozaina said that her name was announced by the chair in violation of rules and regulations, along with a picture of the clause relating to the members obeying the speaker's orders. She added that neither she nor the members of parliament would have to wait for such an order.

"I would have left had the name been given as per the rules for naming," Rozaina said.

Article 65 of the parliament says:

While Rozaina claimed that her name was mentioned in violation of the rules, Nasheed announced her name in accordance with the rules, using the references therein.