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(NYASATIMES) Kamlepo warns DPP government on tribalism

Kamlepo warns DPP government on tribalism
By Nyasa Times
Published: October 20, 2009

Malawi’s known political rubble-rouser, Kamlepo Kalua has warned the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that he will call for mass action if it continues to promote tribalism and regionalism.

Kalua, president of Malawi Democratic Party (MDP) told Straight Talk programme on Capital FM radio on Tuesday that he will never allow Malawi to play hosts to tribalism and regionalism.

“Next year (2010) if we see DPP manifesto is not implemented. If we see there is too much tribalism, too much regionalism as we have seen, I will come out and I will tell the people that this is not what we fought for, what we wanted,” said Kalua.

The outspoken politician denounced and condemned tribalism in a radio interview programme.

Kalua, self-styled political heavyweight said he cannot be intimidated.

“I am a political heavyweight. I am the only one that can stand up to [President] Bingu wa Mutharika and say that this is nonsense. Nobody can stand up and say this Bingu is nonsense. I am the only one that would go and challenge Bingu,” said the vocal politician who was among pioneers who championed Malawi change from one party dictatorship to democracy.

“I am the only one that challenged Dr Bakili Muluzi. I am the only one that challenged Dr Kamuzu Banda and I marched in Blantyre to Sanjika,” he said.

Asked by programme host, Brian Banda, whether he was a ‘spent force’ for not having a seat in parliament Kalua said what mattered to him is to participate in the democrtisation process.

“The success of a political party is not always in winning a general election but how you conduct and put yourself involved in the affairs of the country,” he said.

“In 1999 I was third (in the presidential race) and the one who is President today (Bingu wa Mutharika) was the last person to have acquired the presidential vote. Without him joining a political party that was ruling at that particular time, he could not be President today. It’s a trial, trial and trial in politics,” said Kalua.

Pressed on reports that he was given a Land rover and minibuses for backing former president Bakili Muluzi bid to return to power, Kalua described the reports as false.

“You can come home and people have gone out and have verified and have seen that all the reports are just political gimmicks, political lies that people will ferment whenever they see you associate with somebody,” he said.

Kalua said he associated with UDF and Muluzi out of his political conviction to support “the vanquished”

MDP president said he is not a political opportunist and that he cannot join the ruling DPP.

“If I was practicing politics of bread and butter, I would have joined DPP,” he said pointing out that people are joining the ruling party for monetary favours.

“In Malawi, we have this tendency that when you have got something you create friends. Friends that you create at a party, at a banquet, those are not genuine friends. But friends should be with you through thick and thin,” he said.

Kalua was also pressed to name other office holders in the party and disclosed that MDP deputy president is Lyson Milanzi, treasure Nick Chavula while publicist is Mwayi Mkandawire.

He said MDP has structures “but we are talking of politics of opposition in Africa, politics of opposition in emerging democracy that a winner takes all, a winner dominates, a winner is everything, and sometimes people worship the winner.”

Labels: DPP, KAMLEPO KALUA, REGIONALISM, TRIBALISM

posted by MrK @ 6:31 PM