Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has faced criticism for saying the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was weak with despair following its defeat in the 2023 presidential election.

Azim, who is seeking the MDP mayoral ticket for the upcoming local council elections, said during a campaign event that the party members were under a blanket of despair following the election loss.

“This Adam Azim is the one who bravely came out from under the blanket of despair when the party lost power and won the mayoral seat for the MDP and rekindled the spirit of the party," he declared.

MDP activist Hussain Shafiu posted a video of the speech on social media and accused the mayor of displaying his self-centeredness by characterizing MDP ordinary members as having no value.

Former Defence Minister and former MDP Chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi said Azim's remarks were not acceptable. She called on the mayor of the capital city to apologize to the MDP members.