North-Fuvahmulah MP Ali Shah and Thulhaadhoo MP Nazim Rashad have resigned from ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

In the resignation letter, MP Shah said that he wished to leave the party in order to be able to vote independently and without bias during the current political climate.

A reliable source said that the Elections Commission (EC) received MP Nazim’s resignation letter, but VNews was unable to get a confirmation from him, and PPM’s Parliamentary Group leader has tweeted that reports of his resignation were false.

Nazim was elected to Parliament on Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s ticket. He joined PPM in July 2014 but has rarely been seen participating in party activities.

The resignations come at a time when a no-confidence motion was submitted against Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh.

45 MPs have signed the motion, including 10 from ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

The PPM MPs who signed the motion include Isdhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed, Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed, South Mahchangolhi MP Abdullah Sinan, Dhangethi MP Ilham Ahmed, Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Abdullah, Thinadhoo MP Saudhullah Hilmy, North Fuvahmulah MP Ali Shah, South Thinadhoo MP Abdullah Ahmed, Hanimaadhoo MP Hussain Shahudhee, and Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq.

Out of them, only Isdhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed now remains in the party.

The government coalition’s MPs have now dropped to 38 - which is 33 from PPM and 5 from Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).