MP Shiyan leaves Democrats to rejoin MDP

Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan has also left The Democrats to rejoin main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Members who supported former leader of the party, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed altogether left the party amid major disagreements with pro-government members earlier this year. This included 13 parliamentarians including Shiyan.

The departees formed a new political party, The Democrats. However, Shiyan has strayed away from the party’s recent political activities.

In a surprise move, he rejoined MDP tonight, handing over his membership form to the party’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Shiyan is the second parliamentarian from The Democrats to rejoin MDP, the first being North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef who rejoined the main ruling party alongside Kulhudhuffushi Mayor Mohamed Athif.

Nasheed refused to back President Solih after losing the presidential primary of MDP held in January. He formed a separate political movement within the party subsequently, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’. Central Henveiru MP, a member of the faction, was reprimanded and dismissed from the party later on, which prompted all supporters of Nasheed to leave MDP.

The Democrats, following its inception, handed over the party’s presidential ticket to Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb. Their presidential campaign is underway across the nation, in full fledge.