Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed has announced his departure from the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Nasheed, who was MDP's President, sent a hand-written letter addressed to MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail informing him of his decision. The letter was shared on social media by Nasheed.
In his letter, Nasheed said he did not think it was the best approach for him to remain in the MDP, considering the current circumstances in the Maldives. Consequently, he has chosen to part ways with the party, wrote Nasheed.
Nasheed played a pivotal role in the formation of the MDP and was one of the first 42 members to sign up for the party.
The MDP's usually united front got its first cracks when Nasheed proposed to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to change the Maldives' government system from a presidential system to a parliamentary system. President Solih did not exhibit significant interest in the proposition, stating that changing the government system was not a priority given the prevailing situation in the country.
The differences between President Solih and President Nasheed continued to escalate, particularly after Nasheed lost the MDP presidential primary against President Solih. Following his defeat, Nasheed declared his refusal to back President Solih in the presidential election and led an anti-government faction within the party. Subsequently, 12 MPs who supported Nasheed left the party to form their own party, The Democrats, which prompted the exodus of several MDP members to join The Democrats.
Speculations suggest that Nasheed would contest the presidential election as The Democrats' candidate. However, the Elections Commission is yet to register the party.
