MDP MPs quit party; Shareef first

Several members of the opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) are expected to leave the party amid the party's rivalry for the upcoming parliamentary elections escalated.

Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef left the MDP on Monday, the party confirmed.

A source in the MDP leadership told Atoll Times on Tuesday that some existing members urged the party to seek tickets without holding a primary. Several members have expressed their dissatisfaction with the party's decision to hold a primary and had informed that they may have to leave the party, he said.

“These members are unhappy with the fact that they have to contest the primary,” the leadership said on condition of anonymity.

A senior MDP Parliamentary Group (PG) leader told Atoll Times that Shareef has recently expressed his dissatisfaction with some aspects of the party. As his expressed concerns, the member said:

"Shareef has been unhappy recently. That is why he is believed to have resigned," the member said on condition of anonymity.

While Shareef left MDP, there have been rumors that some MDP MPs are going to join the ruling PNC.

The member told Atoll Times that Shareef had denied this to him. He said Shareef was leaving the party to retire from politics.

"It has not been noticed yet that a member is leaving to join the PNC. No member has even made such a statement," the MDP MP said.

While Shareef had quit his party, the government on Wednesday decided to keep his daughter, Maryam Mizna Shareef, who was Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia in the MDP government, in the post until March next year.

A copy of the document confirming Shareef’s daughter’s position has been circulating on social media and the authenticity of the article has been confirmed. Still, itt is unclear yet whether this has anything to do with Shareef’s departure from the MDP.

The MDP currently has a full majority in parliament with 55 members.