Atupele brands alliance talk a ‘figment of imagination’: UDF show still hold real support
United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi has dismissed speculation that his party is having talks with the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for an electoral alliance in the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections.
Muluzi, who is also Minister for Health and Population in President Peter Mutharika’s Cabinet, said when he addressed a rally in Mangochi-Malombe on Sunday that the speculations about alliance talks are an “imagination” by some propagandists using the media.
He said the propagandists have even set up fake Facebook accounts in his name “and written lies about our country, me and our UDF party. Don’t let this distract us all. We must remain focussed on what is right for Mangochi and for Malawi.”
His reaction followed social media speculation that DPP and UDF, currently in a working relationship in Parliament, would form an electoral alliance with Muluzi earmarked as Mutharika’s running mate.
Muluzi said his focus is strengthening UDF in readiness for the coming the elections.
“I love Malawi and I want to transform it. I have travelled my journey, amassing the experience needed to lead our country. With your support we can lead Malawi into the future,” said the 40-year-old politician.
The rally started with a whistle-stop tour that saw Muluzi accompanied by his wife Angella, who had travelled from Mzimba following the events of World AIDS Day on Saturday, attracting crowds up to Malombe the venue of the main rally.
Having struggled to get through the crowds in Mangochi Boma the rally started rather late, but it did not deter the thousands that had attended to listen to Atupele Muluzi as he discussed the UDF’s role in government and how open the 2019 elections is.
He highlighted that the UDF was the party that established multi party democracy that allowed for the very vibrant debate that the country is engaged in at the moment.
Atupele reiterated that the UDF is committed to maintaining its democratic history by ensuring that he is on the presidential ballot paper and that the UDF fields a full house of candidates in the Tripartite elections.
“We need UDF people to represent you all in the Councils and in Parliament, particularly women and the youth,” he said.
“The UDF holds unity, development and peace at the heart of its principles, these are also a hallmark of the people of Mangochi – I hope you will support us in 2019,” said Muluzi.
Muluzi also highlighted some of the development challenges that the East of the country continues to face and his continued commitment to resolving some of these issues.
“By working together, being honest and open about the challenges we face and offering real solutions for these challenges we can make a real difference. Where there are problems, please don’t expect someone else to resolve it for you, we must all make in an investment in our future,” he said.
Halipeso Malado of Mangochi commented that it was one of the largest turnouts for a political rally that he had seen in years.
He went on to say “we have been following the work of Atupele Muluzi and are very impressed with the progress that he has made in the Ministry of Health, particularly the availability of important medicines and investment in the health centre.”
University of Livingstonia (Unilia) political scientist George Phiri said DPP and UDF are likely to form an alliance because the two parties have lost popularity with the formation of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) led by Vice-President Saulos Chilima.
But both UDF spokesman Ken Ndanga and DPP publicity secretary Nicholas Dausi, said the two parties are not involved in any talks on the possibility of forming an electoral alliance.
Stupid Atupele. It is him and his father who have put Malawian politics into a mess.
Atupele’s claim that he will contest next year as a presidential candidate reminds me of one JZU. He never believed that he would win the presidential race, but believed he would amass a good number of MPs which would qualify him become the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly. Atupele can’t win but hopes there will a good number of UDF MPs which would make him attractive to the winning party and be invited to join government. Atupele has no feelings for a common man. It is his stomach, first, second and last. Believe me!
What? Izi ndiye mbolansotu. This chap and his dad are ugf, don’t get cheated. What’s the morality of campaigning against government of which you are also part of? Confused little chap.
Tima political groups tothandizira amfumu kuledzera
The problem with other people is this, they think what they think is what other people thinks, They think if they believe in Chilima every body believes in him, why only concern in Atupele been in government and yet their Chilima is still in the same government and second in command, Why is he not resigning? Atupele has his own plans as a politician, whether you feel he is no longer useful but there are people out the who still believe in UDF philosophy, You think Chipani ngati MCP kukhala ku opposition paka zaka 25 kufuna? Olo do u think… Read more »
YAOS WAKE UP.MULUZI FAMILY HAS FOOLED YOU FOR SO LONG. UDF YATHA NGATI MAKATANI .
Penapake wa Chiyao siungamuvetse.
Mmodzi mwa andale odzikonda pa Malawi – Atupele Muluzi. Muli pampando munagulitsa chipani chifukwa chofuna kuteteza bambo wanu kumilandu yakatangale kuti asamangidww. Mukufuna munamize ndani lero? Kupusitsa anthu otsatila chipani chanu pomwe munalowa mu boma ndizolinga zolakwika, mukupindula nokha nkumapusitsa okutsatilani.
Nthawi ndichigawenga, tsiku lina mudzasimba muli mbiri chabe nthawi ikadzakupezani.
UDF is dead . DPP and UDF are the two parties which have put Malawi where it is now – people living in abject poverty and the poorest country in the world. Thank you Bakili, thank you DPP! Mulungu azakulangeni mudakali amoyo.
Game anayiwonela patali. Mwana wa Chair ndi Chair yemwe
Atupele will win in Mangochi and Machinga and Balaka basi. There is no way UDF will gain any MPs beyond this districts, we know you want to full us. Come March 2019 we are going to hear that the deal between the Muluzi family and Mutharika family has been finalized.
MACHINGA BALAKA MANGOCHI used to be for atupele straight forward long time ago not now —am here in monkey bay –we will show him what John Tembo JNR saw in dedza –he has been taking us for Granted for a long long time
@ Msasa
Osangolemba m’mchichewa kuti dzimbveke bwanji ?