Aslam says ready to 'wholeheartedly' accept speakership

Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam has said that he would accept parliament's speakership "from the bottom of my heart" if he is nominated for the post by the ruling MDP's parliamentary group.

Ruling MDP's parliamentary group on Tuesday approved a no-confidence motion against Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

Amid growing criticism over Nasheed's conduct as speaker, a meeting of MDP parliamentary group was held on Monday. Of the 41 lawmakers who attended the meeting, 36 voted in favour of moving the no-confidence motion against Nasheed.

Speaking at a press conference held at the parliament secretariat following the parliamentary group meeting, Aslam said he was ready to accept the position.

"I haven't thought about it in any particular way yet. The parliamentary group will take a call. If the parliamentary group decides to take such a decision and hand over the responsibility to me, I will accept it from the bottom of my heart," he said.

After MDP's resounding victory in the parliamentary elections in 2019, Nasheed nominated Aslam for the speakership, while President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih backed Villifushi MP Hassan Afeef, who is now with Nasheed.

Due to disagreements, both Aslam and Afeef withdrew their names from the running. Nasheed himself contested and won the speakership after talks between the two factions.