Many MPs will follow Saud: Faris

Dhiggaru Constituency MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon has also chimed his support for Vilingili Constituency MP Saud, stating that MP Saud fully supported reform. He said there were many MPs who will follow the example set by MP Saud.

Speaking to RaajjeTV’s 60 minutes, MP Faris said that MP Saud’s constituents supported the MPs decision and that Vilingili constituency had historically supported his father former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

MP Faris further claimed that many members in the Government had supported the reform movement started by the opposition, adding that they were forced to remain with the Government for various reasons. He said the members would defect when the time and conditions permitted such defection.

Speaking to RaajjeTV, MP Saud said that President Maumoon was still the President Maumoon and will fully support the former President. MP Saud announced his defection early on Sunday evening, after meeting with MP Faris.

He joins ranks with Maduvvari Constituency MP Mohamed who had defected on March 27th, on the day the Parliament voted on the no confidence motion on Speaker Abdullah Maseeh.

The opposition had vowed to re-submit the no confidence.

With the increasing number of defections, the Government had officially lost the super majority it had enjoyed. Currently the coalition has 47 MPs, with an increasing number of MPs saying they did not have faith in the Government. However, most of them have said they do not dare to publicly express their support.