MMD, UPND enter pact to float VJ as Speaker

COMMENT - More proof of collusion between the neoliberal MMD and UPND.

MMD, UPND enter pact to float VJ as Speaker
By Staff Reporters
Sat 01 Oct. 2011, 08:20 CAT

OPPOSITION MMD have gone into a pact with the UPND with a plan to float former parliamentary chief whip Vernon Mwaanga as Speaker of the National Assembly.

According to well-placed sources, the two parties who met at former Siavonga UPND member of parliament Douglas Syakalima's residence in Lusaka, resolved to frustrate some key positions that may be proposed in Parliament by the ruling PF through a voting pact because no party, including the ruling PF had an outright majority in the House.

Under the scheme, the UPND would be allowed to propose a name for Deputy Speaker and be supported by MMD while the position of Chairman of Parliamentary Committees would go to Chifumu Banda.

"The way they handled it, VJ deliberately stayed quiet but he has been using other people to propose. He is scared that this can be reported in the media. But I can confirm that these are the issues that were discussed," the source disclosed.

The two parties have been meeting quietly to take advantage of the ruling PF's lack of a clear majority in Parliament. This may, however, not work as PF has gained some more numbers from its earlier 60 elected members of parliament by co-opting some MMD members of parliament who have taken up some government jobs including some independent members. The numbers will further be boosted by the Presidential nominations.

According to sources, the plan was hatched by Mwaanga, who is now seeking a job as Speaker of the National Assembly after his campaign and wrong projections of the outcome of the presidential election that saw the massive defeat of president Rupiah Banda.

The loose pact between the two parties has been reported with recent events having been the MMD helping to distribute campaign materials for the UPND prior to elections.

Prior to the elections, former president Banda had projected a win for himself but with few numbers in Parliament prompting him to go into a pact with the UPND.