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It'll be a misjudgement for Chiluba to join Rupiah's campaign - Katele

It'll be a misjudgement for Chiluba to join Rupiah's campaign - Katele
By Patson Chilemba
Wednesday September 24, 2008 [04:00]

MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba yesterday said it would be a sad political judgement for former president Frederick Chiluba to get involved in the MMD campaigns. But MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga said Chiluba, like any other Zambian, had the right to belong to any political party of his choice.

Commenting on MMD campaign committee chairperson Mike Mulongoti's statement that Chiluba still carried a lot of influence and any wise political party would want to have him around, Kalumba said it was about time that former heads of state retired and allowed themselves to play a statesman's role by not siding with any political party.
"I think it would be impolitic on behalf of RB or on behalf of former president Frederick Chiluba himself to want to get involved in this campaign," Kalumba said.

He said Chiluba resigned from MMD and supported PUDD before forming another alliance with Patriotic Front president Michael Sata.

"As national secretary for MMD, I would presume that that alliance still stands. They may have differences on how they handle MPs at NCC National Constitutional Conference but I don't think they have differed fundamentally," Kalumba said.
On Mulongoti's statement that any wise political party would want to have Chiluba around, Kalumba responded: "That would not be my opinion. My opinion would be to ask Dr Chiluba to rest."

Kalumba said if some MMD members were courting Chiluba for support, then there was something wrong with the campaign. He said this would under-mine the MMD's campaign approach if people were making such overtures. Kalumba said the MMD presidential campaign was supposed to be carried out in a transparent manner.
He said such issues hinged on policy and that as national secretary, he was supposed to know so he could provide guidance.

"I would like to advise that in my view as national secretary, it's important, let's avoid drawing people who are retired," said Kalumba. "If such moves have happened, I advise that they stop."

But in an earlier interview, Mabenga said Chiluba, like any other Zambian, had the right to belong to any political party of his choice. However, Mabenga said people joining MMD would have to be screened by the national executive committee (NEC).
On Monday, Sata revealed that he had received reports that Chiluba was being courted by Vice-President Banda's campaign team, seeking his support during the October 30 presidential election.

And when contacted for comment, Mulongoti - who is also information minister - said Chiluba was a citizen and free to join any political party of his choice. Mulongoti said that while Vice-President Banda had not met with Chiluba, there were people in MMD who felt that Chiluba should support the Vice-President.
Chiluba openly exposed his support for PF and Sata in 2006 during the presidential and general elections.

Labels: CHILUBA, KATELE KALUMBA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 5:39 AM