President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom has equated floor crossing to coup, questioning the loyalty of such members.

Speaking in the rally held in Meedhoo island in Raa Atoll, President Yameen said that floor crossing after being elected on a Party ticket was a grave mistake. He said the Parliament and Parliament Members were charged with an important mandate; therefore, changing parties like football players was unacceptable.

‘It’s a grave mistake when a candidate is elected on principles, a manifesto and aspirations of public with the backing of a Party and then reneges on the pledges. It’s a graver mistake when several members left the Party, in my book that’s nothing short of a coup,’ he said.

While he said there was a mass exodus of MPs to another Party, the President had refused to mention who those MPs were. Even though he had lashed out at those MPs who left ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), there were many MPs who were brought into PPM before.

President Yameen had also questioned on what the Parliamentarians were doing in the Parliament.

Also noting that Maduvvari Parliament seat was vacant, President Yameen criticized MP Mohamed Ameeth for his decisions to back the opposition.

The President appealed to the constituents to elected a member of PPM to fill the Maduvvari seat.

He also criticized the opposition, asking why were the opposition not talking about what the opposition can do for national development. Stating the whole nation backed PPM’s vision, the President said the opposition was motivated by personal goals.