Maravi

MMD has lost grip on grassroots because of bickering – Njapau

MMD has lost grip on grassroots because of bickering – Njapau
By Patson Chilemba
Wed 06 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT

MMD national trustee Grace Njapau has observed that the MMD has lost grip on the grassroots because of too much bickering in the party, especially among leaders.

In an interview, Njapau - who is former home affairs deputy minister in the late president Levy Mwanawasa's administration - said she felt saddened at the happenings in the MMD. Njapau said leaders were more focused on quarrelling rather than finding solutions to the many problems the people faced and why the party kept on losing popularity.

"And this is the time that MMD, we have to be on the ground to reorganise ourselves. As Mr Mike Mulongoti said the other time that MMD has lost touch with the grassroots, that is true because as leaders we are bickering, we are fighting each other in the newspapers," Njapau said.

"Because leaders we are supposed to unite, leaders we are supposed to come together and speak one voice, why are we losing ground? What is the problem? Why are we losing elections? Where have we gone wrong? We have to address these issues....this is not the time to start attacking each other in the paper.

"As a national trustee of the party, it is like I am from the grassroots. I feel saddened and people have been saying 'madam Njapau, why are you quiet?' I am quiet because I am not happy with what is happening."

Njapau said it was wrong for leaders like works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti and MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande to be differing in newspapers instead of addressing real issues affecting the party.

On works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti's statement that it was only normal that President Rupiah Banda rewarded people who supported him with jobs as opposed to those who supported other candidates for the MMD presidency in 2008, Njapau said President Banda was President for the whole nation and it was wrong for Mulongoti to say that he appointed only those who supported him.

"If that will be the case, what of those who voted for him who have not been given positions? What are they going to say," asked Njapau.

"I am just trying to caution ourselves that we must be careful with what we say because today you might be there, tomorrow you won't be there, and people will be referring to what you have been saying, and look we are going into a big battle 2011, we need to unite."

Labels: GRACE NJAPAU, MMD

posted by MrK @ 3:45 PM