Best to behave and maintain the coalition or the consequences will be "obvious": JP

Jumhooree Party (JP) - a member of the ruling coalition - has stated that it would be best to behave and maintain the coalition, otherwise, the consequences will be "obvious".

Speaking at a press briefing for the party's upcoming function held on Tuesday afternoon at JP's head office, advisor to JP's leader Gasim Ibrahim and former MP for Dhangethi constituency, Ilham Ahmed stated that the party has "no interest" in either breaking off or staying with the ruling coalition.

Ilham stated that the foolishness of expulsion or breaking off from a coalition can be gleaned from past experiences. Further, he stated that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is a very intelligent man, adding that it would be best to behave well and honour the original agreements.

Ilham went onto state that the administration has not provided the party what they rightfully deserve, claiming that it is a huge joke how the incumbent administration has ignored the party after doling out "two or three" deputy and state minister positions to them.

If expelled from the coalition, JP's voice will be louder and stronger than before, said Ilham, adding that criticism has been held back out of respect for the coalition.

He further said that JP will maintain the coalition to fulfil the party's promise to all citizens as long as President Solih has power, even if Speaker Nasheed wishes against it.

Rumours have emerged claiming that the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) are preparing to break the coalition after the upcoming local council elections. As such, some MP's from the parliamentary supermajority of MDP has repeatedly criticised ministers appointed from other parties and threatened to disband the coalition.

These MP's claim that ministers appointed from other parties are incompetent and are a hindrance to the administration's progress. The most clashes within the coalition occur between MDP and JP.

JP continues to accept memberships from people who served in senior positions for jailed former President Abdulla Yameen.