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UPND, UNIP will back Charles Banda in Kapoche - HH

UPND, UNIP will back Charles Banda in Kapoche - HH
By Speedwell Mupuchi and Christopher Miti
Monday May 21, 2007 [04:01]

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema yesterday said his party and UNIP in Eastern Province would campaign for FDD's Charles Banda in the Kapoche by-election. And Vice-President Rupiah Banda dispelled allegations that government was grading roads in Kapoche in order to entice the people to vote for MMD. Hichilema said it was a pity that a small section of UNIP decided to field a candidate when their alliance, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)'s consensus candidate was Charles Banda.

"We are campaigning with Colonel Panji Kaunda. He is our Eastern Province UDA chairman, we traveled together yesterday (Saturday)," Hichilema said. "UNIP in the province are supportive of Charles Banda who is our consensus candidate. We had very good meetings with chief Mwanjabantu at Nyakuluma and Zumaile." UNIP has fielded former tourism minister Levison Mumba in the by-election slated for June 5, 2007.

And Hichilema said it was unfortunate that some people were in politics not to help find solutions to suffering masses but for personal gain. He described the recent development in UDA where UNIP decided to field a candidate in Kapoche as disruptive. He said unless Zambians changed leadership to bring in new blood assisted with useful old blood, they would not see development.

Last week Col Panji differed with his brother Tilyenji over party leadership style. They also differed over the picking of Mumba for the party's candidate in Kapoche. Col Panji described Mumba as a mercenary and that UNIP in the province would back Charles Banda.

Hichilema said the Lusaka High Court vindicated him when it nullified the election of MMD's Nicholas Banda. "Chances are very good. Our only concern is rigging. Even voters are concerned with the rigging. What has this government done? Nothing," he said.

"Petauke is worse than it was 16 years ago. Feeder roads have never been graded since MMD came into power. Our MMD colleagues are doing a fake census saying if they vote for them, they will give them relief food. The exact thing that the election was nullified for."

Hichilema charged that over 38 government vehicles were currently in Kapoche. Hichilema said the MMD was doing desperate things in Kapoche. "People are desperate, East Coast Fever cattle disease, dilapidation is everywhere. Government has just started grading the roads. They are doing it with all the impunity," he said.

And in an interview at Breeze FM in Chipata yesterday, Vice-President Banda dispelled allegations that government was grading roads in Kapoche in order to entice the people to vote for MMD.

"Charles Banda has already foreseen his downfall and is now looking for scapegoats. We cannot insult the people of Kapoche by thinking that they can be bought through the grading of roads," Vice-President Banda said.

He said government could not stop developing the area because of the by-election.

"Charles Banda failed to win last year's elections because he failed to perform when he was a member of parliament. What he should know is that government cannot stop developing the area because of the by-election. Similar works are being done in other parts of the province," he said.

Earlier, Charles Banda accused MMD of trying to entice the people to vote for their candidate by rehabilitating roads at the time the constituency was preparing for by-elections.
Meanwhile, MMD candidate Professor Fashion Phiri said MMD was on course to win the Kapoche seat.

The Kapoche seat fell vacant after the High Court nullified the election of MMD'S Nicholas Banda.

Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, UNIP, UPND

posted by MrK @ 6:29 AM