Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed initiated efforts to submit a censure motion against Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s National Congress.
As per media reports, Nasheed kicked off efforts to unseat one of the most influential members of the cabinet in August, by collecting signatures of lawmakers to push a no-confidence vote against Fayyaz.
However, the censure motion was not submitted to the parliament when it went into recess on Sunday.
Nasheed's attempts to garner support for ousting Fayyaz have created rifts within the ruling party -- with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih speaking out in Fayyaz's defence, along with other members of the faction.
Despite the party's internal discord, former President Nasheed is planning to lodge a no-confidence vote against Fayyaz at the MDP National Congress.
Local media Mihaaru reported that Nasheed declared, in a WhatsApp group chat, that the issue would be raised to President Solih as well as the congress, as soon as 35 signatures were collected against Fayyaz.
So far, 30 signatures have been collected as per reports.
According to local media, Nasheed relaunched efforts into ousting Fayyaz after accusing the Economic Minister and Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer of facilitating the alleged corruption involved in the economic ministry's National Single Window Project.
Furthermore, Mihaaru revealed that Nasheed suggested Fayyaz step aside for the time being for the good of the party, adding that party members, including Nasheed, have also stepped back when necessary.
However, Fayyaz denied the allegations, maintaining that he was not involved in any sort of corruption. However, he did admit to minor oversights and delays in completing certain tasks, such as the disbursement of income support allowances.
Fayyaz also denied Nasheed's claims that Finance Minister Ameer is working under him, defending Ameer and describing him as an "independent" minister.
As per previously leaked chat logs, allegedly depicting conversations within MDP's parliamentary group, Nasheed likened the minister's influence to that of former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, who quickly rose through the ranks of jailed former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration.
At least 10 signatures are required to submit a no-confidence motion against a cabinet member. According to the speaker, over 30 signatures have already been collected. However, information acquired by 'Mihaaru' refutes his claims.
Once the motion is submitted to the parliament, it can be approved only with a majority vote of 44 members or more.
As the biggest faction of the coalition government, MDP holds a super-majority, occupying 65 out of the total 87 seats, meaning that no legislation passes without MDP's support.
Public ire continues to soar over the government's lacklustre performance in actively reforming the many issues plaguing the political system, often citing a lack of political will in reference to the super-majority.
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