Malé City Mayor Adam Azim is facing backlash over remarks he made at a primary campaign rally, where he said the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had been “under a blanket” following its defeat in the presidential election two years ago and credited himself with reviving party morale.
Azim said he was the one who “came out from under the blanket” when the party was discouraged after losing power, adding that his mayoral by-election victory had given new energy to the MDP. The comments drew swift criticism on social media.
MDP activist Hussain Shafiu posted a video of Azim’s speech on X, arguing that the remarks insulted ordinary party members. The post has been shared widely.
Former MDP chairperson and former defence minister Mariya Ahmed Didi also criticised Azim’s comments. She said she had not taken a position in the mayoral primary but described the remarks as unacceptable. Mariya pointed to the resolve shown by MDP supporters in the years after the first MDP government was removed by a coup and following the party’s defeat in the 2013 presidential election.
She urged Azim to apologise to what she described as the party’s “golden yellow army.” Many MDP members echoed her view and voiced concern over the tone of Azim’s speech.
Azim is seeking the party ticket to contest a second term as Malé mayor in the upcoming local council elections.