MP Mahloof indicates that he will be joining MDP
The prominent lawmaker has been an independent member for over three years
MP Ahmed Mahloof
Galolhu-South constituency MP Ahmed Mahloof has indicated that he will be joining Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
While the lawmaker had previously announced that he will soon be joining a political party, there has been much speculation over his stand.
In a tweet sent out on Saturday night, Mahloof quoted one of MDP’s most well-known songs, by local artist Mohamed Shiuz.
“Which colour, colour yellow,” translates the lyrics he had shared.
By early Sunday morning, Mahloof’s tweet had gotten over 1,400 likes and over 500 retweets.
The comments show that a number of people believe that this is a hint that he is joining MDP, with some sending congratulatory messages to the former ruling party lawmaker.
While it has been over three years since he left Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), he was dismissed for allegedly defaming President Abdulla Yameen, as well as “spreading false information” regarding the arrest of former Defence Minister Col. (Rtd.) Mohamed Nazim.
He continues to criticize Yameen and his “autocratic” leadership style.
The prominent lawmaker has since been working in the frontlines of the reform movement, and has been arrested numerous times over various allegations. He was sentenced to six months in prison in July 2016 for obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Amnesty International had declared him a prisoner of conscience in early 2018.
There are other ongoing cases against him at court, including over comments made regarding the condition of prisons and for distributing “masks” to protesters to shield themselves from the pepper spray used by security forces at rallies.
