Qasim refutes claim of attempt to unseat Speaker Maseeh

Leader of Jumhoory Party (JP), Qasim Ibrahim has refuted claims made by Leader of Parliamentary Group of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Vilimale’ MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik that he was behind the petition to take a no-confidence vote on Speaker of People’s Majlis, Abdulla Maseeh.

The petition for a no-confidence vote comes amid divide between the ruling PPM, with members divided between its Leader, former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Maumoon has officially announced the withdrawal of his support for Yameen and his government, while JP’s Leader, Qasim has pledged his alliance to Maumoon.

Nihan had commented on Tuesday that Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmakers were being egged on by Maumoon and Qasim for the petition to unseat Speaker Maseeh.

“In addition, we have seen Qasim Ibrahim from Jumhoory Party, and both of them supporting and encouraging MDP members and doing whatever they can to achieve the number needed for the work,” said Nihan.

Qasim denied the claim in a tweet he sent out this Wednesday.

“Neither JP nor I, personally, have made any attempt to unseat Speaker Maseeh, as was claimed by MP Nihan. This is false,” said Qasim.

Qasim tweeted that neither he, nor JP had done, or would do anything to jeopardize the stability of the country.

On the day Qasim pledged his allegiance to Maumoon, he said he was ready to work with Maumoon and do whatever was necessary for the rights of the people.

Spokesperson for Maumoon’s faction, Baarah MP Ahmed Shujau had reported Maumoon and Qasim were scheduled to take a tour of the atolls together.

Maumoon loyalists; Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem) and his close associate MP Shujau defected to Yameen’s faction this Wednesday amid fear Housing Development Corporation (HDC) will terminate the business license to run Redwave shops and café.