Harry Mkandawire joins People’s Party, dumps PDM
Veteran Politician and Mzuzu based Businessman Harry ‘Mulekanjala’ Mkandawire has joined the People’s Party (PP) of Vice President Joyce Banda saying his former People’s development Movement (PDM) has no presidential material for the 2014 race.
Mkandawire was also bankrolling PDM.
PDM Spokesperson Msenga Mulungu told Nyasa Timesthat Mkandawire is exercising his democratic right to associate with a political party of his choice.
“Malawi is a democratic state and its citizens are also democrats. That is all I can say,” Mulungu said.
Mkandawire has been instrumental in the formation of several parties among them UDF, DPP and PDM.
Former deputy education minister and wealthy businessman Richard Msowoya leads PDM.
“We do not want to give DPP a chance that is why we have to ensure that we endorse Joyce Banda (for presidency) 100 percent,” Mkandawire said.
Orange
Mkandawire announced his defection during a public rally PP held in Mzimba on Friday and donning orange colours of the party.
“If we want to unseat the DPP government the opposition need to work together otherwise we will continue to suffer. Trust me to work day and night so that PP will be in government come 2014,” he said.
PP also welcomed into its ranks other senior members for PDM, DPP and other parties.
“I consulted PDM executive members of my decision to join PP and they gave me their blessings. Now I will have to go to all districts in the north and explain to people the basis of my decision,” the former protégé of President Mutharika said.
Mkandawire said it would a waste of time to remain in PDM till 2014 because the party at one point will have to look for popular presidential candidate.
“The other thing is that the policies of PP and PDM are similar, for instance, the abolishment of the quota system. In fact we have common ground except popularity,” he said.
Thousands chanted in celebration in Mzimba welcoming Mkandawire to PP.
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