In a significant setback to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has secured a resounding victory in the mayoral election in the capital Male. The MDP candidate, Adam Azim, emerged victorious in a landslide, replacing Mr. Muizzu, who resigned from the position to contest the presidential elections last year.
The MDP, led by pro-India former president Mohammad Solih, faced a defeat by Muizzu, a pro-China leader, in the presidential elections. Adam Azim's win is considered a substantial triumph, with reports describing it as a victory by a large margin.
With 41 boxes counted, Azim secured a significant lead with 5,303 votes, while his rival Aishath Azima Shakoor of Muizzu's People’s National Congress (PNC) received 3,301 votes, according to Maldives’ Sun Online news portal. Despite a low turnout in the January 13 election, Azim's victory is expected to rejuvenate the political prospects of the MDP, which still holds a majority in the Parliament.
Muizzu, who returned from a state visit to China, congratulated Azim and expressed his commitment to cooperate with the Male City Council and the newly elected Mayor. Azim, in his response, emphasized that his victory was a collective achievement for all residents of Male.
The mayoral polls took place against the backdrop of derogatory comments posted by three deputy ministers of the Muizzu government against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to a diplomatic row with India. Muizzu, during his visit to China, sought to strengthen Maldives' ties with Beijing. The incident prompted concerns in India and calls for a boycott by Indian tourists, who constituted the largest number of visitors to the Maldives.
(With Agency Inputs)
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