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Opposition alleges Nasheed-Solih power struggle

Opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) on Sunday alleged an ongoing power struggle between former president Mohamed Nasheed and incumbent president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for control of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Nilandhoo lawmaker Dr Abdulla Khaleel on Twitter accused Nasheed of trying to wrest control of MDP which he said was the cause of the current coalition impasse on the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Top political figures including Nasheed have already announced bids for a parliament seat.

The ruling coalition meanwhile remain split over the elections.

MDP had announced its decision to contest for all seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections that has threatened the split of the coalition government less than a month after taking office.

However, the decision appeared to be in direct violation of the agreement signed by the four parties of the coalition before its victory in September's presidential elections.

Before the coalition led by its candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had pulled off a stunning upset in September's presidential elections, the four main parties in the coalition had agreed to contest the parliamentary elections through the coalition.

It was widely believed that the coalition would divide up the seats in accordance with the same percentage that political posts were assigned to each party.

Former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom meanwhile, had recently said he remained undecided over a bid to return to parliament.