People's National Congress (PNC) has stated that the ruling-coalition no longer exists in its full form, with coalition partner Jumhooree Party (JP)'s decision to join forces with the opposition for the parliamentary election.
The Progressive coalition, made up of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and PNC, recently announced their alliance with JP, with JP leader and speaker of parliament Gasim Ibrahim confirming the team up.
At a press conference held on Saturday, founder of PNC, Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla said he does not believe the ruling coalition still exists. The coalition had fallen apart from the moment President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had stated that he would exclusively back contestants from main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the upcoming parliamentary election, against what was initially agreed by the coalition.
"According to the 'agreement' between the coalition partners, 22 seats should have been allocated for JP in the parliamentary election, however, this is not what is being followed. If the agreement is violated, doesn't that make it void from that point on? President Solih himself has said there are no signed agreements, This is why I say the coalition no longer exists, it has broken up. If not, why would JP join hands with us? It is apparent that they themselves don't believe in the coalition anymore", said Abdul Raheem.
The main reason behind the downfall of the coalition is the government and main ruling MDP, accused Abdul Raheem further. According to him, the opposition is now PPM, PNC, JP and Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP).
PPM will be contesting for 32 constituencies in the parliamentary election scheduled for next month, while JP is contesting for 38 seats. Both parties will back the candidates of the other party, it has been agreed.
