Main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Parliamentary Group has approved the submission to the parliament, of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis and MP for North Galolhu constituency Eva Abdulla.

The main-ruling party’s PG approved the submission of the no-confidence motion against Eva, on Thursday.

The motion, seeking a vote of no-confidence against Eva was unanimously passed by members of the PG on Thursday.

Once the formalities are complete, the motion is to be submitted to the People’s Majlis.

Alongside 11 other lawmakers, the Deputy Parliament Speaker left the main ruling party on Wednesday.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Eva stressed that she left MDP as it is currently not adhering to the good values it was initially based upon.

Eva asserted that she didn’t stay with MDP out of the desire to defend her post, however, she refuses to resign voluntarily.

Regulations of the People’s Majlis indicate that votes to dismiss the Speaker or Deputy Speaker requires the majority of the entire People’s Majlis. As per the numbers at the parliament, it is 43 members.

During Wednesday’s presser, loyalists of the former president and current Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, revealed the decision to form a new political party under the name “Fikurehge Dhirun”.

Eva Abdulla revealed that the decision to form the new political party was reached “with great hope”.

Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb, who also left the party on Wednesday, noted that they will be submitting the registration of their new political party to the Elections Commission of Maldives in the upcoming week.

It was also announced that the new political party spearheaded by Nasheed will be presenting a candidate for this year’s presidential election, slated for September. It has been revealed that the party will be holding discussions with other political parties they can possibly collaborate with, for the presidential polls.

Nasheed himself, has not yet defected from the ruling party.

Members of the parliament who submitted their resignation letters include MP for Maafannu Central constituency Ibrahim Rasheed, MP for Maafannu North constituency Imthiaz Fahmi, MP for Machhangolhi North constituency Mohammed Rasheed, MP for Ungoofaaru constituency Mohammed Waheed, MP for G.Dh. Gahdhoo constituency Ahmed Zahir, MP for Henveiru West constituency Hassan Latheef, MP for Galolhu North constituency Eva Abdullah, MP for Hulhudhoo constituency Ilyas Labeeb, MP for Kulhudhuhfushi North constituency Yasir Abdul Lateef, MP for Vilifushi constituency Hassan Afeef, MP for Madaveli constituency Hussain Firshan and MP for Thoddoo constituency Hassan Shiyan.

Since President Solih won MDP’s primary election in January this year, the party has been divided into two factions; one supporting the incumbent president and one backing the former president and current Speaker.

President Solih is running for this year’s presidential election as the candidate of the main-ruling party MDP.