JB foresees ‘circumstantial alliances’ ahead of Malawi 2014 polls

In a fired political mood, President Joyce Banda on Tuesday predicted that many circumstantial opposition alliances will arise ahead of the 2014 national elections because individual political parties will have lost many executive members to the governing People’s Party (PP).

The President was speaking on Tuesday when he addressed thousands of PP enthusiasts at Liwonde Community Ground in Machinga after officially opening the magnificent Shire Lodge along the Shire River banks.

Her remarks came following the defection en masse to the governing PP of national executive committee (NEC) members of the opposition People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) of Mark Katsonga on Monday.

President Banda says opposition parties will lose members to PP

The President said it was “embarrassing” for a political party to lose all members of executive as it happened with PPM, saying the manner in which the other opposition political parties are being managed in Malawi, she feared many would lose top members as well.

“This is only 2012; what will happen when we reach 2013? I foresee many convenient political alliances as only top leaderships would remain after NEC members have dumped them.

“It’s coming and it’s all because members of opposition parties are tired of politics of greed, hypocrisy and cronyism among their top leaders. The PP has become the most viable alternative,” said the Head of State attracting a deafening applause.

The President said it is the PP’s politics of inclusivity and people-centeredness that are the irresistible attractions for many members defecting to the party from other political parties.

“You must be proud for being members of the PP; you must always walk tall for associating with the party whose policies resonates with the larger people’s aspirations,” she said, adding the formation of the PP was a mere concept but “it is you the members that made it a reality”.

Recovery

President Banda said her government would continue to formulate and implement policies that ensure a speedy restoration of the economy so that people’s welfare improves for the better. She reiterated that she inherited a “tattered economy” and that her government had to employ recovery mechanisms to salvage it.

She also reiterated that the economic recovery plan has its own negative repercussions on the people but said these were temporary and that in the medium term, Malawians stand to benefit immensely.

The Malawi leader then insisted that she would continue with her food distribution initiative as many lives were in danger because of acute food shortages in most parts of the country.

“As a President, it’s is obvious many suffering people look up to me for rescue and it does not make sense for me to sit back at State House while people die of hunger. I want to assure all Malawians, particularly the hungry, that your President will do everything within the means to help them,” said Banda.

Other speakers

Speaking earlier, State Vice President Khumbo Kachali, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, Uladi Mussa and PP Provincial Chair for Eastern Region, Samson Msosa urged on people of Machinga to support President Banda and the governing People’s Party if they were to experience meaningful social and economic changes.

Earlier, Mangochi Legislator and Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change Minister, Ibrahim Matola, who recently announced his defection from the United Democratic Front (UDF) to PP, was officially welcomed by President Banda at the rally.

President Banda and First Gentleman
Uladi Mussa: PP power!
PP supporters at the rally
Khuimbo Kachali speaking at the rally
Crowds at the Liwonde rally

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