Opposition's no-confidence motion is linked to political purposes: Zaha

Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture Zaha Waheed has claimed that the opposition’s no-confidence motion against her revolves around political purposes.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s ‘Fala Surukhee’ programme on Monday, the minister stated that the no-confidence motion was not because she failed to uphold her ministerial duties, nor because she had failed to fulfil President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s pledges to the fisheries sector.

With this being said, the minister said that the political sphere is “hectic” these days, as the elections are approaching.

In this regard Minister Zaha said that everyone will be trying different campaign strategies these days, highlighting that many administrations have made different pledges to promote the fisheries sector.

However, only the current administration has been successful in bringing a desirable change to the sector and following through with the electoral pledges.

On March 10, the opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against the minister, with 10 members representing the opposition coalition of the country backing the motion. The next day, the parliament issued her a two-weeks’ notice before the debate on the motion begins.

The opposition members claim that Zaha, in her position as fisheries minister, has failed to deliver the government’s pledges for the sector as well as promoting the industry. Further, they claimed that Zaha has been irresponsible in fulfilling her responsibilities for the sector, noting that her remaining in the position would prove to be impractical for fishermen and their families across the nation.

According to the opposition, the ministry has failed to act on the government’s pledges or conduct any activities to promote the sector and to pave way to increase value for fishermen’s catch and increase their earnings.

The members who endorsed the motion are Parliament’s minority leader and Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM)’s Parliamentary Group leader and Eydhafushi constituency MP Ahmed Saleem, Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir, Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla and eight others.

A minimum of 10 signatures are required to submit no-confidence motions against a cabinet member and the People’s Majlis may oust a member of the cabinet of minister through the votes of 43 parliamentarians.

Recently, the parliament ousted Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Mohamed Maleeh Jamal. 59 MPs in attendance had voted in favor of the no-confidence motion against Maleeh, and one vote had been cast against it. Four members of parliament abstained from voting. Maleeh is the first cabinet minister of the Solih administration to be removed from office with a motion of no-confidence passed against them from the floor of parliament.

Zaha was earlier summoned to parliament for questioning after claims of failure to establish required regulations under the new Fisheries Act.