Several MPs from the ruling MDP disrupted the parliament today as it opted not to put the no-confidence resolution against the Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed on the agenda.
MP for Vilifushi Constituency Hassan Afeef attempted to kick off the session earlier today but MDP MPs foiled his attempts. They protested near the seat of the speaker with the sounds of horns blaring inside the chamber.
MP Afeef could not continue with the session and it was halted midway with no announcements on whether or not it had been canceled or postponed.
The Parliament had included the submission of the proposed state budget for next year and the submission of the supplementary budget for this year on its agenda for today.
The President's Office informed earlier that Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer would not be attending today's session to submit the budget to the Parliament.
This decision was taken upon the recommendation of the Attorney General due to the delay in resolving the no-confidence resolution submitted against the Speaker of the Parliament.
While, the Parliament had put the resolution on its agenda twice, the matter is yet to be resolved as the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Eva Abdullah remains on sick leave having contracted Dengue Fever.
Under the Parliament Standing Order, a parliament session that debates a resolution on a no-confidence resolution against the Speaker can only be chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament.
MDP has filed a case at the Supreme Court to contest the legality of this decision.
