The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) faced widespread criticism following a poorly attended rally meant to defend the constitution at the Carnival area in Malé City last night, highlighting the party's diminishing influence.

The lukewarm response to the rally, despite extensive organisational efforts, has prompted social media users to characterise the MDP as existing in name only, with evidence supporting this assessment.

Critics particularly targeted former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's address at the event, where he recited lyrics from a rap song by Symbolic Record's rapper Ismail Ifham Mohamed (known as Pest) – a song that had allegedly originally criticised Solih's own administration.

The party's declining support stems from multiple controversies during Solih's administration, including the distribution of billions of rufiyaa in compensation to various companies through arguably arbitrary decisions by the Settlement Committee. Notable among these was a MVR 64 million award to Dheebaja Investment Private Limited following a Supreme Court ruling.

Moreover, the administration's debt forgiveness programmes and compensation payments totalled well over MVR 1 billion, while the state budget deficit reached MVR 8 billion.

The administration's financial troubles did not end there – official records indicate that Solih’s foreign travels exceeded those of his predecessor, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, with most trips beyond India yielding minimal concrete outcomes.

A particularly controversial moment occurred at the rally when Kendhoo constituency member Mauroof Zakir called from the podium for the overthrow of the current democratically elected Government, whilst previously expressing support for Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, who has committed numerous inhumane acts.

"Recently in Syria, our friend Bashar was removed, expelled," Mauroof had declared, prompting widespread condemnation. 

"If there is a tyrant somewhere, they will become MDP's friend," wrote a Facebook user in a comment on a viral social media video, exemplifying the public backlash to these remarks.

The current Administration under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has maintained democratic freedoms despite the MDP's expectations of restrictions; the Government permitted the rally to proceed at the Carnival Area, contrary to rumours of its closure.

Despite MDP's apparent attempts to create political tension, the rally failed to achieve its intended impact, largely due to minimal public participation. This outcome reflects broader changes in the Maldivian political landscape, where citizens increasingly favour practical governance over political demonstrations.

The event's poor turnout and subsequent social media backlash underscore the continuing decline in MDP's public support, a trend that began during Solih's presidency when his administration failed to fulfil various campaign promises, including the pledge to abolish arbitrary detention, despite holding a parliamentary supermajority.