Ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has stated that the bill proposing to bar former presidents from contesting the parliamentary election might create a rift in the joint parliamentary group.

In a press statement on Friday, MDP’s parliamentary group stated that the bill, proposed by coalition partner Jumhooree Party (JP) member Abdul Latheef, is targeted at the ruling party’s leader, former President Mohamed Nasheed.

MDP stated that the bill is unconstitutional and goes against the principles of the joint parliamentary group.

The ruling party also accused Latheef of undermining an individual’s political rights and asked the JP leadership to help withdraw the bill.