MALE: The main opposition party of the Maldives, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has said it has gathered enough signatures to impeach the country’s President Mohamed Muizzu, reported local media.
The MDP’s claim came a day after fisticuffs broke out among lawmakers in Parliament. The police were deployed in strength to separate the MPs and restore order.
The MDP said it had aligned with a breakaway faction, called the Democrats, and gathered 34 signatures. “The MDP, in partnership with the Democrats, have gathered enough signatures for an impeachment motion. However, they have yet to submit it,” reported the local media.
The proceedings in the Maldives Majlis were disrupted when members of Muizzu’s party and its allies protested MDP, which has a majority, deciding to withhold approval for the government. Videos showed Maldivian leaders kicking and punching each other.
Interestingly, amidst the diplomatic tensions, Muizzu extended Republic Day greetings to India. “President Muizzu conveyed good wishes from the Government and the people of the Maldives. He underscored the Maldives-India bond nurtured by centuries of friendship, mutual respect and a deep sense of kinship,” said the Maldives President’s office.
Meanwhile, Parliament on Monday approved only one of the four members of Muizzu’s cabinet against whom the main opposition MDP has issued a three-line red whip. While Parliament voted to deny approval to Housing Minister Ali Haidar Ahmed, Islamic Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed narrowly survived the same fate, according to local media reports. Muizzu had made a formal request for the approval of his Cabinet on November 20.