Main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to work with coalition partner Adhaalath Party (AP) in April's parliamentary election.

Speaking to media after MDP’s national congress meeting on Tuesday, MDP leader and former President Mohamed Nasheed revealed his party’s decision to work with Adhaalath Party in the upcoming elections.

While both parties had met on Sunday to hold talks regarding the parliamentary elections, MDP had revealed that AP had requested to work together with the ruling party.

The former President stated that MDP will be giving up five constituencies for the ruling coalition partner, but that the party's national congress is not able to make a decision on the matter yet.

While MDP has held primaries for the parliamentary elections and officially given tickets to its nominees, Nasheed stated that they have the choice to withdraw from the election.

He emphasized that things will be carried out as per party regulations, and that the party's interests will be given priority.

He further said that a decision will be reached after the talks between the contestants.

While Nasheed claimed that they have yet to discuss which constituencies they will be giving up for Adhaalath, RaajjeMV understands that they are Nilandhoo constituency, Vaikaradhoo constituency, Mahibadhoo constituency, south-Fuvahmulah constituency and Makunudhoo constituency.

AP had announced that they will be running for 13 seats in the election scheduled for April, while MDP decided to run for all 87 constituencies. It will be competing for 86 seats as there were no applicants for Nilandhoo constituency.

MDP's decision had caused a rift within the ruling coalition, with partner Jumhooree Party (JP) accusing it of violating coalition agreements; it claims that coalition parties had agreed to divide seats in parliament. The party has announced that it will be working with "other parties" in the parliamentary election.