Party Founder of Peoples' National Congress (PNC), Fonadhoo lawmaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla has stated that he would not leave the party to rejoin parent party, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Abdul Raheem said he would remain as a member of PNC instead of dissolving the party even if the Supreme Court rules in favor of former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom regarding party leadership.
Yameen had moved to register a new political party as the dispute over the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) leadership drags on.
Speaking to local reporters late last month, Yameen had said the move to form a new party was with his "blessing."
"We can't head to an election with the party's future shrouded in uncertainty. Supreme Court is in recess. We don't when or how the verdict would come. So we can't take any chances," Yameen explained the reasons behind the bid to form a new party.
The former president also urged his supporters to immediately switch to the party if and when the time comes.
The Civil Court in 2016 found former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom guilty of violating the constitution, party charter and the political party law and handed-over party control to half brother and the then president Yameen.
Gayoom however was unceremoniously ousted from the party after falling-out with his half brother Yameen.
However, a lawsuit was filed challenging the legality of the PPM leadership and asking the Civil Court to handover party reins to the elder Gayoom. But before a single hearing could be held, the Supreme Court had taken over the case.
On Sunday, Abdul Raheem stated that if PNC is registered as a political party by the Elections Commission according to plan, he would still stay over at PNC even if PPM leadership is assured to President Yameen, in order to run the party as an alliance with PPM.
MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla - File Photo / AVAS
