The lawmaker of Dhangethi constituency, Ilham Ahmed, on Sunday resigned from ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
MP Ilham is the third lawmaker of PPM to resign amidst the high political tensions currently within the ruling party. Lawmakers of the constituencies of Dhidhdhoo and Hanimaadhoo, Abdul Latheef Mohamed and Hussain Shahudhy respectively, also left the party last week. All three are notably of ten PPM lawmakers that signed the joint opposition’s resolution to file a motion of no confidence against Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh.
Prior to leaving the party, MP Ilham also resigned from his posts as PPM parliamentary group’s deputy leader and chair of the parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs last week.
In a letter to PPM, MP Ilham stated that he is resigning from the ruling party Sunday onwards in order to serve the people.
Noting that PPM was first founded on the basis of a political party that understands the feelings of the people and ensures them their rights and independence accorded by the Constitution, the lawmaker said that he wishes for PPM to see such a day again.
After the formation of PPM, MP Ilham had at one point shifted to Jumhoory Party. He joined PPM again last October 20, 2016.
With MP Ilham’s resignation, the ruling party’s numbers in parliament have fallen to 41. Along with the five lawmakers of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), the ruling coalition now boasts total 46 seats in Parliament.
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