PPM decides to boycott India at IPU EXCO

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PPM) coalition has decided to boycott the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Executive Committee as India decides to run for exco.

The IPU, with its 178 member parliaments, has scheduled to hold its 145th IPU Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda, from 11-15 October and India has decided to run for the Asia Pacific’s Exco in this assembly.

Vice President of PPM, Ahmed Shiyam told TMJ that the opposition has decided to boycott India at this summit. Shiyam said that their decision to stand against electing India to represent the region was due to the dangerous agreements being signed between Maldives and the Indian government which could possibly compromise the security and independence of the nation.

Shiyam said that the government’s refusal to hold off on such treaties led them to believe that the opposition must take its stand.

PNC’s parliamentary group leader, Adam Shareef Umar, was supposed to represent the opposition coalition at the IPU Assembly, however, adhering to their party’s decision to veto the exco, he has decided not to attend this year’s meeting.