Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) is set to oust top lawmaker Riyaz Rasheed as its deputy parliamentary group leader amid a struggle to quash what appears to be another lawmaker revolt following the resounding defeat in last month's presidential election.
Party sources say the outspoken Riyaz would be removed from his post during a PG group sit-down later Monday.
Riyaz is facing the ax after he Tweeted a picture congratulating opposition Jumhoory Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim upon his return to the country from self-imposed exile last week. The Vilufushi MP was also pictured with a former government lawmaker who's disqualification was overturned by the country's top court on Monday.
However, Riyaz insisted that the picture and his Tweet were not sufficient grounds to question his loyalty to his party.
The imminent to oust Riyaz from the deputy PG leader post comes after the party had removed two lawmakers from the PG Viber group following criticism of the party leadership after the election defeat.
