Maravi

Mulongoti denies reports of disunity in MMD

Mulongoti denies reports of disunity in MMD
By Katwishi Bwalya
Tuesday October 21, 2008 [04:00]

MMD campaign manager Mike Mulongoti yesterday said it is not true that Vice-President Rupiah Banda has sidelined all those that campaigned and voted for finance minister Ng’andu Magande during the NEC election.

In an interview yesterday, Mulongoti described as incorrect statements by late president Levy Mwanawasa’s nephew Peter Shakafuswa that it would not be easy for Vice-President Banda to win the October 30 presidential election if the current disunity continued in MMD. He said as far as he was concerned, every MMD member of parliament had a role to play in the campaigns.

“I have no comment to make. I am on the Copperbelt but what people should know is that every MP is supposed to be a campaign manager in their respective constituencies, unless they reject that,” Mulongoti said.

He said some ministers were seen not to be actively involved in the campaigns because of the busy nature of the offices they occupy.

“You know that some people run busy ministries but when they are free, they do attend these campaigns. As you know government should be running smoothly despite the elections,” said Mulongoti.

Shakafuswa said on Saturday that the disunity in the MMD might cost the ruling party the October 30 election. He said MMD should practice tolerance and embrace all those who campaigned for Magande during party elections. He said people like home affairs minister Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha, local government and housing minister Sylvia Masebo and Magande were sidelined in the campaigns.

But Lt Gen Shikapwasha yesterday said Shakafuswa was creating a wrong impression because as far as he was aware, reconciliation had taken place in MMD.

“I have reconciled with RB, just like Magande and Sylvia,” Lt Gen Shikapwasha said. “Right now, I am in the field campaigning.”

Labels: MIKE MULONGOTI, MMD

posted by MrK @ 4:11 AM