As Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrives in Delhi, political storm in the ruling MDP party

New Delhi: On the heels of the visit of Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih to India (August 1-4), Maldives again have politically activated as demand to remove Speaker Mohamed Nasheed from the post of the speaker is echoing in the Majlis or Parliament of the Maldives. 

Meanwhile, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), chief Major General Abdulla Shamaal, is visiting India for nearly a week at the invitation of India's Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande.

Shamaal in India met Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Chief of Navy Staff, Chief of Air Staff and National Security Advisor. "During these meetings, the Chief of Defence of the Maldives engaged in issues of further assistance and training from the Indian army and strengthened cooperation in regional security.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande and Maldives Chief of Defence Force Maj Gen Abdulla Shamaal exchange greetings during a meeting, in New Delhi

Meanwhile, the ruling Maldives Democratic Party or MDP's Parliamentary Group Leader, Hithadhoo MP Mohamed told local Maldivian newspapers that members of MDP Parliamentary have lost confidence in speaker Nasheed. "Many parliamentary group members have no confidence in Speaker Nasheed. They are planning to submit a no-confidence motion against Nasheed in the parliament.

Suggestions to hold a parliamentary group meeting are being considered where they will take a vote on the matter. Hithadhoo MP added that if filing a no-confidence motion is approved in the forum – the motion will be submitted to the parliament. The parliament comprises 65 MDP members – of which the majority supports President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

A rift between Nasheed and President Solih

In national elections a year ahead, the two top leaders of the MDP are fighting to show their strength to lead in the next elections. Request to remove Nasheed as Parliament Speaker is being demanded when he claimed to have received four pictures showing President Solih's sexual relations with a young girl. Although many people have asked Nasheed to reveal the images – he has failed to do so. In addition, he is yet to file the case with the police.

The rift is further escalated after the arrest of Nasheed's younger brother, Nazim Sattar, by the police in their probe of the video leaked online, which allegedly shows Nazim engaging in sexual relations with a Bangladeshi sex worker, reports local newspapers. In a tweet shortly after Nazim's arrest, Nasheed said his brother's arrest was selective and politically motivated to appease hard-line extremists in the coalition government. He also said the arrest was made in violation of criminal procedures.

President @ibusolih's administration has arrested my brother selectively accusing him of homosexuality. Arrest was made against criminal procedures & is politically motivated to appease Hardline Extremists in coalition.

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) July 28, 2022

Ahmed Nazim Abdul Sattar is a prominent lawyer and younger brother of the Parliament speaker. He has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in homosexual acts. Nazim was reportedly arrested while vacationing in a resort. Police have confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection to the case, identified only as a 45-year-old Maldivian male, a 35-year-old Maldivian male, and a 46-year-old Maldivian male.

Local newspaper Sun identified them as Nazim, former Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed (Colonel Nasheed), and Abdul Rahman Rafeeu, a police officer working for the Drug Enforcement Department (DED). All three were on videos allegedly showing them having sex with a young Bangladeshi national based in Male' who had been working as a prostitute.

Two more were arrested for disrupting International Yoga day celebrations on June 21

Two more suspects were arrested in connection with the violence at the National Stadium on June 21, which disrupted the celebration of International Yoga day. A total of 21 individuals so far have been arrested for disrupting the function, which was said to have been politically motivated by the opposition political parties engaged in the "India Out" campaign. Some hundred plus rioters carrying sticks, stones and flags, shouting "anti-Indian" slogans, crashed the Maldives national football ground. They attacked participants at the 'Yoga Day event organized by the Indian High Commission and the Maldivian government. The Maldives Police said that the attackers were from the Opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives, led by former President Abdulla Yameen, who is currently spearheading an 'India Out' campaign.

Conclusions

The division of MDP should be a significant concern for India as the opposition political parties will act as a catalyst to divide the ruling party further to take advantage in the next year's elections. More so after witnessing the present economic and political situation in Sri Lanka and the ongoing "India out Campaign" in the Maldives. Allegations and counter allegations of sexual issues against MDP leaders are further going to strengthen the religious and hard-line political parties who are definitely going to use the issue as “anti-Islamic activities.”