(LUSAKATIMES) Other opposition parties show interest to join the PF, UPND pact-HH

Other opposition parties show interest to join the PF, UPND pact-HH
Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 19:58

United Party for National Development Leader, Hakainde Hichilema, has disclosed that other opposition political parties have expressed interest to join the political pact recent entered into by the Patriotic Front (PF) and UPND.

Mr. Hichilema further said in an interview that even members of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) have covertly supported the pact. He said other political parties have shown willingness to join the political pact but are not yet ready to openly declare their wiliness to join the pact.

Mr. Hichilema said the church, civil society and trade unions are also in full support of the pact as it aimed at bettering the plight of all Zambians.

He appealed to stakeholders who have the interest of the nation at heart to rally behind the pact as it is aimed at providing a better alternative to the MMD government.

Mr. Sata says the two parties have thoroughly discussed a number of issues that aims to consolidate the pact ahead of the 2011 general elections.
Mr. Hichilema said contrary to the prophets of doom, PF and UPND are determined to ensure that the pact succeeds.

He said lessons have been learned from previous experiences hence the pact with PF and UPND is well-informed about why previous arrangements failed.

Mr. Hichilema called for unity of purpose among opposition political parties in a bid to unseat the MMD.

And Patriotic Front President, Michael Sata, says the PF-UPND electoral pact will succeed because it is different from the previous alliance.

Mr. Sata says the two parties have thoroughly discussed a number of issues that aims to consolidate the pact ahead of the 2011 general elections.

He told ZNBC news that those criticising or condemning the pact will be proven wrong.

The PF leader said he is particularly happy that the two parties have remained consistent from the time the electoral pact was signed.

The UPND and the PF announced last week that they have formed an alliance which will enable them contest the 2011 general elections as a single political force.

The electoral pact has been received with mixed reactions.

Some people say the alliance is just a marriage of convenience, which is likely to collapse.

Others have welcomed the pact saying it will help to strengthen democracy in the country.

[ZNBC]