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We are talking with UPND - VJ

We are talking with UPND - VJ
By Patson Chilemba and Chibaula Silwamba
Fri 03 Dec. 2010, 04:02 CAT

We are talking with UPND, says Vernon Mwaanga. In an interview in Lusaka on Wednesday, Mwaanga, who is MMD Parliamentary Chief Whip, said discussions have commenced over the formation of an alliance between MMD and UPND at the lower organs. Mwaanga said he stood by his earlier statement that people preferred an alliance between the UPND and MMD to the current PF-UPND pact.

“The statement I issued is the one I stand by. I said discussions are at the lower levels between our members,” he said. Mwaanga said the lower organs would state how serious the negotiations were.

Asked how confident he was that there would be an alliance between MMD and UPND before the 2011 general elections, Mwaanga responded: “It is not me to say that. It is according to them lower organs. They are the ones who are talking about it, so it will be up to them.”

Asked if he would welcome an alliance between MMD and UPND, Mwaanga said the MMD welcomed alliances with other progressive parties that believed that Zambia must go forward.

He said the MMD was ready to go into an alliance with political parties that wanted an alliance.

In May 2010, Mwaanga said his trips and meetings with Southern Province chiefs, the business community and other stakeholders revealed that people wanted an alliance between the MMD and UPND.

Mwaanga said Southern Province could only successfully produce a Republican president in 2016 through an alliance between UPND and MMD.

And MMD elections chairman, Mike Mulongoti said the door remained open for the UPND or any other political party to be in an electoral alliance with the MMD.

In an interview yesterday, Mulongoti said the MMD believed that leaders of competing parties had the objective to develop Zambia, either as individual political parties or through an alliance.

“MMD as a political party was formed from an alliance of unions, churches, political parties, etcetera and because of that, the MMD does not close doors to anybody. If anybody wants to be part of that alliance with us, they are free,” said Mulongoti, who is also works and supply minister.

He said if any opposition party regarded forming an alliance with the MMD worthwhile, the ruling party would welcome them.

However, Mulongoti said the MMD was not actively pursuing other political parties for an alliance.

“But, as an alliance, we keep the door open to all those who would want to come in including the UPND and everybody. I don’t want to just target UPND but all political parties, even FDD, New Generation and whoever,” said Mulongoti.

Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, MMD, UPND, VERNON MWAANGA

posted by MrK @ 6:04 AM