Govt denies allegations of 'buying and selling' MPs

The government has denied allegations made by Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) Member of Parliament (MP) from Galolhu South Constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem that President Mohamed Muizzu has begun the 'buying and selling game' of lawmakers during his first month in office.

At a time when Atoll Times has confirmed that some MDP members are going to leave the party, Meekail accused the President of "starting the dirty game of buying and selling members of parliament and leading the people to the path of destruction"

The President's Office Chief Spokesperson Mohamed Shaheeb denied the allegations at a press conference held at the President's Office on Thursday.

“... The allegation that MPs are being bribed to join the government party is absolutely false,” Shaheeb said.

Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef (Mavota Shareef) left the MDP on Monday.

The government has ordered the return of Maldives’ ambassadors to various countries, and has decided to keep Shareef’s daughter, Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mizna Shareef, in her post.

With that, some are accusing Shareef of leaving the MDP after making a deal with the government.

Atoll Times has confirmed that several members of the opposition MDP, including Shareef, will leave the party as the rivalry for the MDP ticket in the upcoming parliamentary elections has heated up within the party.

There are also rumors that some MDP MPs are going to switch to the ruling PNC.