Chakwera wants Mutharika in parliament for grilling: ‘Questions not for minister to answer’

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and leader of opposition in parliament,  Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday withdrew his questions he filed for President Peter Mutharika, a clear protest against Mutharika’s failure to appear in parliament to answer the question in person as leader.

Chakwera snubbed Mutharika’s arrangement to have Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe answer questions on his behalf, saying he was interested to grill the Head of State.

“It is imperative that the President suspends his powers to delegate the answering of the parliamentary questions because the country is going through difficult economic times,” Chakwera said.

Chakwera said he was not undermining cabinet ministers who were asked to respond to the questions saying to the contrary, Mutharika was undermining parliament.

“I will ask the question when the President decides to appear in parliament,” said Chakwera.

“Why should I ask the question to a cabinet minister whom I interact every day in parliament? I hope the President will have change of heart,” said Chakwera, who is also Mutharika’s traditional arch rival.

Others who queued to ask Mutharika questions pertaining to the current food shortages and ailing economy include Rumphi east outspoken MP Kamlepo Kalua and Mzimba west MP veteran politician Harry Mkandawire.

Leader of the House, Francis Kusaira said in an interview that the questions were general hence the President delegated his ministers.

But Kalua said there were “hard hitting” questions and the President has dodged them.