DPP members ask Chilima to contest as MP in Lilongwe central: ‘Bisnowaty is unpopular’

There was drama in the capital city on Monday when some governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) stormed Vice-President Saulos  Chilima’s residence in Area 12  suburbs chanting and demanding him to stand as a member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe City Centre  whose incumbent MP is David Bisnowaty  who joined DPP  after winning as an independent.

DPP constituency governor Mr Ayuda said they  went to Chilima residence to persuade him to contest, saying the area’s MP Bisnowaty is now very unpopular.

“We want to meet  the Vice President to ask him to contest  and be our MP in Lilongwe City Centre,” said Ayuda.

But he said Chilima could not meet them because he was scheduled to be at Kanengo Auction Floors to attend the opening of tobacco market by President Peter Mutharika.

The supporters  alighted from four  15-tonne trucks, they sung and chanted for over 30 minutes.

DPP Central Region youth director Rajab Malimba came to disperse the members, saying the VP had had “other pressing engagements and was being delayed.”

The members who were at Chilima’s residence said  DPP’s Field Marshal Ben Phiri assured them to go there  and that Chilima would welcome them.

Chilima has been in the headlines following remarks by former First Lady Callista Bingu wa Mutharika that the Vice President should be DPP’s presidential candidate in 2019.