Independent MP Amr Hamzawy has defended his suggestion that Muslim Brotherhood presidential candidate Mohamed Morsy drop out of the race in favor of Nasserist hopeful Hamdeen Sabbahi, saying it is possible from a legal viewpoint.

On Twitter, Hamzawy said on Monday that a legal source told him Morsy’s withdrawal from the race is possible, provided he backs out before the final results of the first round of voting are officially announced.

Political calculations have kept the Brotherhood from considering the suggestion seriously, he said, adding that national consensus could help prevent the return of the old regime.

Hamzawy added, “To those who call on Shafiq to withdraw, I say he stands on different grounds, and those who voted for him will not see in Sabbahi a representative for them. As for the Brotherhood, they belong to the revolution like Sabbahi.”

The MP had called on Morsy to withdraw Saturday from the runoff to protect the revolution.

“If the Muslim Brotherhood wants to have a consensus that saves the revolution, democracy and the civilian state, and prevent the reproduction of the old regime and its domination, let Morsy withdraw,” Hamzawy wrote on Twitter.