PNC leadership denies Abbas' claims of mass defection

The leadership of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) has dismissed claims made by MDA MP Mohamed Abbas, who alleged that 13 or 14 PNC parliamentarians are preparing to leave the party in the coming days.

Abbas, in a social media post on Thursday, claimed that several members had raised serious concerns during a PNC parliamentary group (PG) meeting held on Wednesday. He further stated that a subsequent PG meeting was cancelled due to heated exchanges.

However, PNC Chairman and Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, along with PNC Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah, have strongly denied these claims.

Abdul Raheem, who was present at the meeting in question, said Abbas’ remarks were “completely false.”

“The PNC parliamentary group is stronger than the baseless rumors being spread,” he stated.

In a firm rebuttal, PG Leader Falah accused Abbas of deliberately attempting to mislead the public with “slanderous lies.”

“It’s a serious error to think that the PNC’s parliamentary group can be dissolved by spreading false narratives,” said Falah, who also represents the Inguraidhoo constituency. “The PNC PG stands firmly behind President Muizzu. No matter the schemes or the messages spread by such individuals, they will not succeed.”

Falah also suggested that Abbas’s actions add weight to speculation regarding financial transactions between Abbas and former President Abdulla Yameen, allegedly aimed at promoting political propaganda.