Government Wednesday reiterated confidence to quash the opposition move to oust parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh, alleging that the politically motivated motion was designed for the personal political gain of a few.
Opposition parties have claimed that the motion was filed with signatures of 26 lawmakers while only 15 is the required number.
In addition to main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the motion has been backed by a few government lawmakers loyal to ousted ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and former government coalition partner Jumhoory Party (JP).
Hours after the motion was filed, during a joint press conference by PPM, Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) and Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), chief government lawmaker Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik said the government enjoying parliament majority was not the coalition's "fault."
Responding to opposition allegations, Nihan insisted that the speaker had always abode by the majority parliament decision in accordance with democratic principles.
The Villi-Maafannu MP said the opposition was looking to oust Maseeh to promote its own agenda through the parliament for political gain.
"This is purely a personal vendetta. This is intended to facilitate some personal motives. Because they are now unable to achieve it with Maseeh as the speaker," Nihan said.
Parliament would now have three days to send the motion notice to lawmakers.
As only a simple majority is required to pass the motion and with the government having overwhelming parliament majority, it remains unlikely the opposition would succeed to oust the speaker.
