More prostituting MPs return to DPP after flirting with PP
The impending execution of the controversial law Section 65 which regulates MPs from crossing the floor has sent jitters in the National Assembly with most DPP legislators announcing their return to the party.
The de facto ruling People’s Party (PP) attracted more than 110 Members after its leader Joyce Banda assumed the reins of power in Malawi on April 7, 2012 following the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika in office.
This figure is to plummet as confusion has hit Members of Parliament who defected to PP on whether to remain to government side or go back to their original party.
The returns are living nomadic political life in the wake of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Henry Chimunthu Banda’s imminent whip this week on those deemed to have crossed the floor.
So far more than 40 MPs have written to the DPP leadership of their intention to go back.
Confirming the development, DPP chief whip in the National Assembly Henry Mussa disclosed that the party had received several letters from Members of Parliament who would like to be welcomed as prodigal sons and daughters.
“As a party we are very happy to receive our prodigal sons and daughters, the party has forgiven them all,” said excited Mussa, adding that politics is a game of numbers and that there was power in numbers.
Chimunthu Banda announced that Member for Ntchisi North East Geoffrey Mbuzi, Ntchisi North Josiah Bimphi, Chiradzulu West George Namatumbo and Fredrick Kamwangala Lilongwe Northwest are now backing to DPP.
As of now five members so far have announced their return to DPP including Kasungu West MP Otria Jere.
Political observers have argued that as long as the caliber of politicians Malawi ha swill remain the same, the political terrain and weather will not be ideal from progressive politics.
Vitima Mteka Mkandawire, a political observer, has said the move for defected MP to go back to their original party is a true reflection that political parties in the country have the same ideologies in Malawi
“Politicians can go to any party where they want as long as it benefits them”, Mkandawire said.
Montfort Prince Manyozo, another political analyst has said there is a philosophical problem with crossing of the floor this time around
Manyozo has said the defections that are being experienced in the National Assembly could be viewed in two ways.
“It is either the returning could be nullification from their original defections from DPP or it should be viewed as a second defection in a row, which PP can also write the Speaker to act on it,” he said.
The enforcement of Section 65 serves as a reinforcement and reminder of the fact that MPs are elected both on the basis of the strength of their candidature and their party affiliation.
Manyozo therefore said time had come that executive arm of government should work very hard to produce bills that should survive parliamentary scrutiny due to the minority representation.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
