Unseating opposition-aligned lawmakers was a government plot: MP Riyaz

Kinbidhoo MP Abdulla Riyaz has said that the government had plotted the removal of 12 opposition-aligned MPs from parliament.

Speaking to the press on Monday, MP Riyaz said plots to weaken the parliament should be investigated as a serious crime.

The lawmaker also said that the court verdict will give the opposition coalition additional strength to carry out their work for the rights of citizens in parliament.

Lawmakers and legal experts have said that many ruling party members do not support President Abdulla Yameen, and that the anti-defection bill was introduced after sidelining the ruling party’s founder, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and his supporting members.

MP Riyaz accused President Yameen was behind the plot to oust the lawmakers with the help of parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh and the Elections Commission members.

He said that, after the Supreme Court’s verdict to re-seat four lawmakers, he is confident that the court will also rule to re-seat the rest of the 12 MPs.