UDF MPs warn against expelling Atupele
Malawi’s opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) members of parliament have condemned plans by some party gurus to expel Machinga North East MP Atupele Muluzi because of his alleged interest to contest for the party’s presidency.
Atupele, son to UDF founding president and former Malawi President Bakili Muluzi, was summoned to a hearing at Grace Bandawe in Blantyre on Monday by the party’s disciplinary committee. According to inside sources, the party officials want Atupele alienated.
But UDF leader in parliament, Ibrahim Matola said the lawmakers were not going to take the decision lying down, saying Atupele like any other member was free to aspire for any position.
Matola said the officials who are attempting to expel Atupele have no mandate.
“We (MPs) are the representatives of the people,” he told Daybreak Malawi programme on Capital FM on Wednesday.
“We are the ones protecting the party, we were elected eligible members of this party and those who are fighting for those positions, they were denied in their constituency,” he said, adding “They don’t represent anything, so their mandate also expired.”
Atupele, although he is clearly showing signs of wanting to represent UDF as a presidential candidate come 2014, he has not openly declared so.
He said his decision will be made in the next few days on whether to seek nomination at the convention or not.
UDF gurus allege Atupele has questions to answer on gross breach of party discipline and disregard of the party’s constitution.
Atupele is advocating for “new thinking” and “new generation” into Malawi politics.
Hophmally Makande, UDF deputy secretary general, meanwhile, said UDF has no plans to sack Atupele.
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