Former Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim and the recently reseated 12 MPs have exchanged heated words on social media.

The online argument is over the disagreement between party leaders over supporting the candidacy of the 12 MPs in the parliamentary election without holding a primary.

The lawmakers were recently reinstated into parliament by the Supreme Court after they were unseated for violating a floor-crossing ban by defecting to the opposition.

Niyaz Ibrahim, who has returned to Maldives after two years in self-exile, said in a Facebook post that President Abdulla Yameen’s “authoritarian rule” would not have succeeded if the 12 MPs had fulfilled their responsibilities “from day one”.

Niyaz, a key figure in uncovering the MMPRC corruption scandal which was brought to light by online news website CNM, accused the MPs of being negligent in their duties.

Responding to the post on Twitter, Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Mustafa accused the former auditor general of “running away out of fear” while others stayed and made sacrifices against oppression. He also said that Niyaz, after being away for three years, has “parachuted back in with his suit” to get a job.

Also on Twitter, Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef criticized Niyaz’s decisions as auditor general, questioning whether he should have gone to “seek permission” from President Abdulla Yameen before investigating the MMPRC corruption scandal, which is the largest embezzlement case in the country’s history.

MP Latheef accused Niyaz of fleeing, while the 12 MPs made sacrifices for the country, and returning after President Yameen is defeated in the election. He also suggested that Niyaz is vying for a seat in parliament. Niyaz had earlier on Twitter shown interest to contest for either of the two constituencies of GDh. Thinadhoo, to which 2 of the 12 recently reseated 12 MPs belong to.

The other 12 MPs have also questioned Niyaz’s integrity, with some claiming that he was looking to get money to buy a flat or seeking employment.