Maravi

Eastern Province MMD campaigns for top seat hot up

Eastern Province MMD campaigns for top seat hot up
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Wed 29 Dec. 2010, 03:59 CAT

THE campaigns for the Eastern Province MMD chairmanship have intensified with the top two contenders launching scathing attacks against each other. Incumbent Kennedy Zulu said rival Chilufya Chishala should not use the name of the President and corruption but should just sell his manifesto.

“If people don’t like me, do you need to buy them? If people don’t like me, do you need to use the name of the President? You don’t need to do that; just sell your manifesto the way we did ourselves when we challenged honourable Mangani. We promised the people three things: unity, dedicated leadership and motivation, and we have delivered on these three things within two years,” Zulu said.

He said he needed another mandate of five years together with President Rupiah Banda.

Zulu claimed the campaign period was a dangerous time because some people were sent by the PF to destabilise MMD in the province.

“You should listen to these people who are coming to campaign because now is a dangerous time, some people have been sent by PF to destabilise MMD in Eastern Province so that when they are elected in certain positions, they sway the votes against President Banda at the convention. The district committee should be very careful and the supporters should not resort to violence so that we remain peaceful,” said Zulu.

And Chishala, who officially announced his candidature on Friday, said there was a leadership vacuum in the province.

“The current provincial leadership has been a disappointment, they have failed the province and they have failed everybody. I think whatever I have done in the past, I can help to deliver the President in the coming presidential elections,” Chilufya said.

Asked to comment on allegations that he was bribing people, Chilufya said he was merely making donations that would help strengthen the party.

“When you buy cement or roofing sheets, are you buying somebody? I am behind my own party because the cement they are going to use it for building an office for MMD. When we are having a meeting, I buy food and we eat together, can you tell me that that is corruption? When you are helping an institution to grow, it doesn’t mean that is corruption,” Chilufya said.

Eighty-six delegates to the provincial conference have resolved to rally behind Chishala.
The delegates made the resolutions at a meeting held in Chipata on Friday.

Labels: EASTERN PROVINCE, MMD

posted by MrK @ 5:04 PM