Maravi

Crumbling of UDA worries KK

Crumbling of UDA worries KK
By Noel Sichalwe
Saturday August 04, 2007 [04:00]

DR Kenneth Kaunda yesterday expressed concern at the crumbling of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). In an interview, Dr Kaunda wondered what had happened to the alliance that was meant to unite three opposition political parties. "I want to discuss this matter with the people who were involved," Dr Kaunda said. "I will be talking to them and understand exactly what was the problem. I want to understand what has caused this development."

FDD general secretary Newton Nguni last Sunday said the UDA was a dead issue. And UNIP vice-president Njekwa Anamela has said UDA has outlived its usefulness after the 2006 tripartite elections. Anamela said UDA was meant for the 2006 elections and that the party had now concentrated on strengthening its structures to prepare for the 2011 elections.

He said after conducting a post-mortem for the 2006 elections, the performance of the alliance and the challenges ahead, UNIP had decided to concentrate on strengthening its structure rather than concentrating on UDA. Anamela said UNIP was now ready to participate in any elections as a party whenever they would arise. He said his party had made a deliberate political position to distance itself from the alliance. He said it was good that UPND had also made its position clear on the matter.

This followed an earlier statement by UPND president Hakainde Hichilema announcing the pulling out of UDA. And Hichilema said UPND would have done better in the last elections if it participated as a single party. He urged his members to campaign for UPND ahead of the 2011 general elections.

The National Assembly has since said UDA members of parliament that have been elected to Parliament would not be affected by the crumbling of the alliance.
Media liaison officer Chikomeni Banda said members of parliament under UDA were elected on their individual political parties.

He said the fact that the parties that formed UDA - UNIP, Forum for Development and Democracy (FDD) and United Party for National Development (UPND) - did not dissolve prior to the 2006 tripartite elections meant that their individual members of parliament would continue occupying their seats in the House.

Labels: KENNETH KAUNDA, NEWTON NG'UNI, UDA

posted by MrK @ 4:45 AM