MCP not in opposition ‘Grand Coalition’
The main opposition party, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) says it is not part of the ‘Grand Coalition’ opposition parties in Malawi are reportedly contemplating forming ahead of the General Elections in 2014.
MCP spokesperson, Nancy Tembo told Nyasa Times in a telephone interview from her base in the Capital City, Lilongwe that as a party, the MCP is in agreement with whatever the parties to the intended coalition have put across to the public but her party is not yet part of the coalition.
“As of now, the MCP is not party to any intentions to form a coalition ahead of the 2014 polls,” she said.
- Nancy Tembo: MCP not in it
“ But I must say that as a party, we agree with some of the issues that have been said in the past by the opposition parties as a basis of forming a united front to unseat the present government during the 2014 polls,” said Tembo.
AFORD, Ralph Kasambara’s CODE, CONU, MAFUNDE, MDP of Kamlepo Kalua, NRP of veteran politician Gwanda Chakuamba, the People’s Party of State Vice President Joyce Banda, PETRA, Mark Katsonga Phiri’s PPM and the UDF faction of Friday Jumbe are some of the opposition parties that will soon announce the ‘Grand Coalition’ in an attempt to defeat the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of President Bingu wa Mutharika.
According to sources close to the discussions towards a united opposition front, the ‘Grand Coalition’ shall aspire to galvanize member parties to focus on a unitary vision.
“The coalition will work towards a pre-election coalition that will favour a common approach. The parties to the ‘Grand Coalition’ are mindful that this is achievable through careful consultation with members at the grassroots so that every member is carried along. Each party is presently in the process of establishing that consensus,” a senior official of one of the parties confirmed to Nyasa Times.
He said that parties to the coalition are aware of the challenges that it shall have to surmount during the short or medium and long term basis but he said they are determined to overcome all such challenges and obstacles to ensure that the project succeeds.
The official said the parties shall with all organizations, institutions and individuals in Malawi and in Diaspora who “fervently believe in a better Malawi for all”, noting the project can only improve and succeed with “unreserved positive criticism, advice, direction and support from everyone”.
According to the official, leadership of the coalition shall rotate among leaders of the parties on a monthly basis and that the Chairperson for the month of March is Katsonga Phiri of PPM who will hand over the chairmanship to Kamuzu Chibambo of PETRA on April 1, 2012.
