A notice to summon Minister of Defense, Mariya Ahmed Didi, to Parliament for questioning regarding the comments she had made in an interview with the Indian media, has been forwarded to the parliament.

Mariya is to present herself to Parliament at 9am on Monday.

She is to be questioned for having said during the interview that "if India wanted to, it could take over the Maldives given its armed strength.” However, she was quick to add that India would not do that because India is there to help Maldives.

This is the first time a Minister of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s cabinet is being summoned to Parliament for questioning.

The case against the Minister was forwarded to Parliament by MP representing opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), Ahmed Thoriq.

Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon and Jumhooree Party (JP)’s parliamentary group leader, Abdulla Riyaz have since come to her support, saying that Mariya has not done anything to warrant a motion of no-confidence. Riyaz gave his assurance that he will make sure the motion fails, and Faris expressed his support for President Solih and his cabinet.

Ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to which the minister belongs, also released a statement saying that there is no reason to submit the motion.

In her defense, Mariya publicized a statement saying that part of the interview had been omitted to misinterpret what she had said.

Parliament committee has begun evaluating the legal validity of the motion as some had questioned it as it contained signatures of only 14 MPs. A no-confidence motion against a Minister needs 10 signatures before it can be accepted and 43 votes for it to pass.

The parliament is required to give the minister a chance to respond 14 days before the debate begins.