Aslam: MPs who listed their names say they won’t actually violate whip lines

Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Parliamentary Group Leader Mohamed Aslam has reported some parliamentarians who wrote down their names on the list pertaining to violation of whip lines issued by the party’s parliamentary group having stated that they would not actually violate the whip lines.

While 19 parliamentarians have noted their names on the list – Aslam told Sun that some parliamentarians on the list had informed him that they would not violate the whip lines and that they only noted their names at the request of a certain person.

Aslam stressed that action would be taken against parliamentarians violating whip lines as per that party’s parliamentary group regulations.  

“Will take action as per regulations if whip lines are violated. Being cautioned, demanding an apology, halting some of the benefits entitled as a member of the party, not being allowed to contest in party’s internal elections for a year – and the last action we would take being expulsion from the party,” he detailed.

Speaking further, Aslam stressed that they will not shy away from taking action even if violations come from a high-ranking MDP member.

He described calling for violation of whip lines issued by the party’s parliamentary group as one of the most derogatory acts.

MDP parliamentary group decided on Monday to file a no-confidence motion against Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem with the Parliament. The motion had passed with a vote of 21-17.

Shortly after the vote, parliamentarians who plan on backing Shameem added their names to a list which was shared on MDP national council Whatsapp group. 19 parliamentarians added their names to the list, including MDP leader and Parliament speaker, former president Mohamed Nasheed.

Those that have added their names to the list are supporters of Nasheed.

Deputy speaker Eva Abdulla, who had also added her name to the list, sent a text message to MDP parliamentary group’s Whatsapp group on Tuesday stating she refused to follow whip lines issued without debate, no matter what the consequences.

Parliamentarians in favor of dismissing PG Shameem have criticized Nasheed for moving against the parliamentary group’s majority.