Ilyas Ibrahim leaves PPM

Cabinet Minister during Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration Ilyas Ibrahim has left the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Ilyas’ departure from PPM coincides with rumors that he has been offered by Gasim Ibrahim to be the vice presidential candidate for Jumhoory Party. When asked about the rumors, Ilyas said that he does not wish to answer at this point in time.

In an interview to Sun today, Ilyas Ibrahim said that he decided to leave PPM because he does not agree with the party’s recent decisions in parliament. He also said that he wants to distance himself from PPM at this time and that he has no intention of joining a political party any time soon.

“I decided to leave PPM because I do not agree with the way PPM is being represented in parliament. But as of right now, I have no intention of joining any other party,” Ilyas Ibrahim said.

A tweet by PPM President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom today confirmed that Ilyas had left the party. He stated that Ilyas was a valuable asset for the party, and thanked him for his service since its founding.

“This is a sad day for PPM. Hon Ilyas has left the party. He was such a big asset to us. I thank him for being with us from the beginning,” Maumoon’s tweet read.

Ilyas Ibrahim held a number of portfolios during the Maumoon administration, including the Minister of Atolls, Minister of Health and the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the military. He is the brother-in-law of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.