Maravi

MMD plans to meet Levy’s son

MMD plans to meet Levy’s son
By Chibaula Silwamba
Tue 27 Oct. 2009, 04:01 CAT

MMD acting spokesperson Mike Mulongoti yesterday said the party will meet late president Levy Mwanawasa’s eldest son Patrick to hear him out on his concerns about the party, its co-opting of Frederick Chiluba and other national issues.

Reacting to Patrick’s concerns that former president Chiluba is a spent force in active politics and his contribution to the MMD is destructive rather than constructive and his demand that the MMD holds its convention to elect national executive committee (NEC) members since the party had already adopted President Rupiah Banda as its sole candidate for 2011, Mulongoti said Patrick was too young to engage in that kind of politics where he was issuing statements that would not help him.

“In the first place we would like to talk to Patrick himself, to hear him out. Thereafter, we will be in the better position to comment. I don’t want to say anything and tomorrow he says, ‘look you people, why didn’t you talk to me first?’” said Mulongoti.

“Let me talk to him then I will comment. He is a young man, very young. I would not as an individual want to encourage him to get involved in politics at that level. He is very young. We don’t want him to get engaged in making statements that do not help him. So that is why I want to talk to him personally.”

MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande said Patrick’s concerns were his views and he couldn’t comment on them.
“I can’t comment on it. He is my nephew. Those are his views,” Kaande said.

When further asked about the specific issues Patrick raised the need for the MMD to hold its convention, Kaande responded: “I am not commenting on anything. Thank you. Bye good morning!”

Patrick said it was ironic how the powers that be were downplaying the numerous development projects initiated by Mwanawasa and instead they were formulating a campaign strategy around Chiluba for the 2011 elections.
“With due respect to Dr Chiluba, I feel he is a spent force in active politics. His contribution to our party is destructive rather than constructive, and instead should be encouraged to take up projects that will make a difference to humanity,” Patrick said.

“I tend to agree with my party elders pertaining to certain undemocratic tendencies creeping into the party especially those that have been echoed by Honourable George Mpombo and former Republican vice-president Enoch Kavindele.”

Labels: MIKE MULONGOTI, MMD, PATRICK MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 8:22 AM