The pro-China script president of the island nation Maldives is back-firing. The anti-India stance of President Mohamed Muizzu is now hurting him. The opposition parties are livid over Muizzu's attempt to move away from neighbour India in his attempt to ally with China.

Maldives' main opposition parties unite against Muizzu

A 14-year-old Maldivian boy died on Saturday amid allegations that President Mohammed Muizzu denied permission for the use of an Indian Dornier aircraft that could have potentially saved his life.

Maldives: Boy dies after President Muizzu denies Indian helicopter airlift

Turning away from its traditional ties with India, the pro-China leadership in Maldives, has just inked a $37 million deal with a Turkish company for military drones. Maldives plans to use these turkish drones to patrol the high seas, a task so far done by India in collaboration with the Maldivian forces.

Gravitas: Pro-China Muizzu's short-sighted moves | Turkish drones over Indian Ocean now?

Maldives' president Mohamed Muizzu has set a deadline for India to withdraw its small number of military personnel from the country by March 15. This request for the withdrawal of Indian troops has come amid a diplomatic row between the two nations and calls within the country to oust the pro-China leader.

Gravitas: Maldives' Muizzu faces ouster threat | Pro-China leader gives Indian troops deadline to go

In a huge setback to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, oppostion party Maldives Democratic Party (MDP)'s candidate Adam Azim won the mayoral elections of Male amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff with India.

Maldives: President Muizzu's party loses mayoral polls amid diplomatic tensions with India

<p>Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Adam Azim won the mayoral elections in Malé on Saturday (Jan 13). The election results are a major setback for Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who vacated the seat less than two months after his ascendency to the presidency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a post on X, MDP leader Abdulla Shahid said, "Kudos Adam Azim and to MDP Secretariat on winning the Malé Mayoral by-election! The capital city has said a categorical NO to President Muizzu and his policies - within just 58 days in office!"</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-india-thwarted-1988-coup-attempt-in-maldives-indian-army-veteran-vinod-bhatia-speaks-to-wion-678697">How India thwarted 1988 coup attempt in Maldives: Indian army veteran Vinod Bhatia speaks to WION</a></strong></p>

<p>Polling in the by-election took place from 8 am to 5 pm at 55 polling stations. Only&nbsp;17,000 out of the 54,680 eligible voters cast their ballots in the by-election, according to the Election Commission.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kudos <a href="https://twitter.com/adamazim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adamazim</a> and to <a href="https://twitter.com/MDPSecretariat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MDPSecretariat</a> on winning the Male’ Mayoral by-election!<br />
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The capital city has said a categorical NO to President Muizzu and his policies - within just 58 days in office!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AdamAzim4Mayor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AdamAzim4Mayor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vote4AdamAzim?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vote4AdamAzim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VaaneKuraane?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VaaneKuraane</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FehiThanavasMale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FehiThanavasMale</a> <a href="https://t.co/YRfr80soPl">pic.twitter.com/YRfr80soPl</a></p>
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid/status/1746178318234497400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) mayoral candidate Aisha Azima Shakoor was trailing Azim by a margin of 1,300 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Azim, the younger brother of Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, the leader of Maldives National Party (MNP) and parliamentary representative for Dhangethi constituency, had run projects worth millions under his direct supervision as Maldives Transport and Contracting Company's (MTCC) chief during the MDP administration, according to reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: China the real mastermind behind India-Maldives diplomatic storm?</strong></p>

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<p>Azim also previously headed other state companies including the State Trading Organization (STO) and Malé &nbsp;Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC).</p>

<p>Apart from the mayorship, councillors will be elected to three seats of the Malé &nbsp;City Council which became vacant when they quit to join the new government&nbsp;- Maafannu South, Central Henveiru, and Henveiru South.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Adam Azim won the mayoral elections in Malé on Saturday (Jan 13). The election results are a major setback for Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who vacated the seat less than two months after his ascendency to the presidency.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Adam Azim won the mayoral elections in Malé on Saturday (Jan 13). The election results are a major setback for Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who vacated the seat less than two months after his ascendency to the presidency. In a post on X, MDP leader Abdulla Shahid said, "Kudos Adam Azim and to MDP Secretariat on winning the Malé Mayoral by-election! The capital city has said a categorical NO to President Muizzu and his policies - within just 58 days in office!" Also read: How India thwarted 1988 coup attempt in Maldives: Indian army veteran Vinod Bhatia speaks to WION Polling in the by-election took place from 8 am to 5 pm at 55 polling stations. Only 17,000 out of the 54,680 eligible voters cast their ballots in the by-election, according to the Election Commission. Kudos @adamazim and to @MDPSecretariat on winning the Male’ Mayoral by-election! The capital city has said a categorical NO to President Muizzu and his policies - within just 58 days in office!#AdamAzim4Mayor #Vote4AdamAzim #VaaneKuraane #FehiThanavasMale pic.twitter.com/YRfr80soPl — Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) January 13, 2024 × The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) mayoral candidate Aisha Azima Shakoor was trailing Azim by a margin of 1,300 votes. Azim, the younger brother of Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, the leader of Maldives National Party (MNP) and parliamentary representative for Dhangethi constituency, had run projects worth millions under his direct supervision as Maldives Transport and Contracting Company's (MTCC) chief during the MDP administration, according to reports. Also watch | Gravitas Plus: China the real mastermind behind India-Maldives diplomatic storm? × Azim also previously headed other state companies including the State Trading Organization (STO) and Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC). Apart from the mayorship, councillors will be elected to three seats of the Malé City Council which became vacant when they quit to join the new government - Maafannu South, Central Henveiru, and Henveiru South. (With inputs from agencies)

Maldives: Major setback for President Muizzu as oppn leader wins Male mayoral elections

The social media is filled with 'Boycott Maldives' hashtag. Following derogatory comments by Maldivian officials about Indian PM Narendra Modi. It is now time for Maldives parliament to intervene, says Maldives MP Mickail Naseem in a conversation with WION . The 3 ministers were soon suspended after their remarks drew criticism from India and abroad.

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The bilateral relationship between India and the Maldives had always been positive before the Muizzu government assumed power in Maldives last year and things have only gone from bad to worse in recent days with three of his ministers passing derogatory remarks against Indian PM sparking a diplomatic row.

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Maldives President Muizzu says that India has agreed to withdraw its soldiers from the island nation. Muizzu made these remarks following engagements on the sidelines of COP28 climate summit with the Indian officials.

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In a presidential runoff, voters in the Maldives will decide what will happen to the fledgling democracy in the Indian Ocean archipelago and its relations with China and India.

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The Maldives' presidential election, which was viewed as a test of the fledgling democracy and the archipelago's connections to China and India, its longtime sponsor, was won by Mohamed Muizzu over incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a second-round runoff.

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