Parliament speaker Mohamed Nasheed’s actions clearly show how much he wants to maintain his position of power at the legislative body, says North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam, the leader of main ruling MDP’s parliamentary group and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s running mate in the upcoming election.

The Parliament had reconvened for the third session of the year after a two-month recess on Monday.

However, the sitting was cut short amid heated verbal exchanges.

The Parliament needs to re-compose the permanent committees again, after more MPs joined The Democrats, after the changes made to the composition over recess.

Opening Monday’s sitting Nasheed announced that the Parliament has not received letters from MPs who joined The Democrats – confirming the change in their party.

Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed presides over a parliamentary sitting on April 11, 2022. (Photo/People's Majlis)

He said that changes to the composition of the Parliament’s permanent committees cannot be made until it receives the letters.

This drew immediate outrage MDP MPs.

Speaking to Sun, Aslam accused Nasheed of using force and influence to stall something that can be easily resolved within the Parliament’s standing orders, in order to grab on to his position.

Aslam said that the no-confidence motion against Nasheed should be the first motion to be processed once the composition is finalized.

He said that Nasheed was doing everything in his power to quash the motion.

“Only three MPs have requested to register changes to the Parliament’s registry. And then they will submit requests from two more MPs tomorrow. He has made this a game and is straight-out abusing the powers of his position. He is refusing to do something that can be quickly done,” said Aslam.

Aslam said that the MDP’s parliamentary group is discussing ways to avoid another deadlock.