By Nyasa Times

Published: April 15, 2010

Kalinde, who was technically removed from her position after fresh elections were held to usher in new chair over controversy that she disbursed money to members which originated from Vice-President Joyce Banda, said she was not supporting the VP’s leadership ambitions.

The Thyolo North lawmaker told Capital Radio Straight Talk programme that she “voluntarily stepped down” when a member of the caucus moved a motion to conduct elections. She said  Clerk of Parliament had advised the caucus that committee configuration could change anytime.

Asked by presenter Brian Banda on reports that the matter was politically agitated by the money from Joyce Banda, she clarified; “There was money that came from African Women Development Bank through Joyce Banda Foundation.

“So there were about seven cheques for about K170,000 for seven members of the women caucus. This was just like a start; it was going to benefit all women in the future. They came through Joyce Banda Foundation, as chairperson it was my responsibility to ask people for donations.”

She said the money aimed to help women parliamentarians start revolving fund in the constituency to empower women.

Kalinde said there was no problem for Joyce Banda to be associated with programmes that uplift women in society.

“She is a woman who has always been there to assist women. This  [Joyce Banda] foundation assist women in various ways not only the women even the children,” she said.

Asked that there are factions in the ruling DPP, one supporting the VP and the  other loyal to the President, Kalinde said she was not a functionary of any politician positioning for leadership in 2014.

“I don’t think there are even these camps, because I am not in any camp. I am not supporting anybody apart from Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika who is the President and Joyce Banda who is the Vice-President”.

“We are so proud that His Excellency Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika choose Right Hon Joyce Banda to be vice-president of this country and all women are so happy,” Kalinde said

Kalinde said women Members of Parliament were right to support the first female vice-president of the country.

“Actually, I will be surprised if there will be a woman who cannot be supporting the Vice-President.”

She maintained that there were no factions in the DPP: “On my side I have never seen any division.”

“I personally I am not in any camp. What I do, I support the leadership of this country which is led by His Excellency Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika and the Vice-President is Right Hon Joyce Banda,” she said.

Kalinde said people in the villages were only interested in social amenities such as clean water, schools, hospitals and bridges and not political bickering for positions.