Chimbanga unveils ambitions to be MP in 2019: ‘Demands respect from Transformation Alliance’

Ex-Transformation Alliance (T.A) Spokesperson Leonard Chimbanga has exclusively confirmed in an interview with Nyasa Times that he will contest as Member of Parliament (MP) in the next general elections slatted for May 2019.

The youthful politician has also justified his move to join the rulling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Chimbanga was unveiled as a DPP member last weekend at a rally held in Ndirande Township in Blantyre.

He said his dream cannot be realised while working in a pressure group.

“I intend to seek office perharps run for parliament in next elections and this is something I can’t realise in a pressure group. Our constitution only allows political parties not pressure groups,” said Chimbanga.

He said other political parties except the rulling DPP and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) must forget about winning presidency and parliamentary seats in 2019 as the race will be between DPP and MCP.

“As it currently stands, the race is and will be between MCP and DPP but I am very much convinced that DPP has an upper hand hence joining the party,” he said.

Chimbanga’s decision to contest comes after he lost during the 2014 elections.

He was vying for a parliamentary seat in Dedza East Constituency and stood on United Democratic Front (UDF) ticket.

DPP deal

Commenting on why he joined the rulling party, Chimbanga said he is coupled with the developments achieved so far under the leadership of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

“This include reaching single digit inflation, surplus food, introduction of Community Technical Colleges and I believe Malawi is on the right track as signaled by the return of our donors to support our budget,” he said.

The Ex-Transformation Alliance Spokesperson has since described the alliance leader [Moses Kunkuyu] as a ‘brilliant young leader’.

He has therefore encouraged him and the rest of the alliance team to continue with their mission and agenda of transforming Malawi’s political landscape and governance.

However, Chimbanga has hit back at T.A leaders remarks that the pressure group is a nursery for young politicians.

Chimbanga said he is not new in politics.

“I started my political career in UDF which was a well established party and I also contested as a Member of Parliament. Remember we are talking of a party that governed the country over two decades,” said Chimbanga.

“I am also one of the guys who brought late Bingu wa Mutharika into UDF,”claimed Chimbanga.

Meanwhile, he has pleaded with the T.A leadership to respect his decision.

“They need to respect me because I worked hard for the alliance. Hitting me won’t be fair and I want to practice civilised politics,”concluded Chimbanga.

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