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| National |
| MCP ready to form next govt |
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by
Joseph Langa, 24 March 2003
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MCP Vice President John Tembo and secretary general Kate Kainja have said they decided to unite with the party’s president Gwanda Chakuamba to remove Malawians from what they described as the bondage of the UDF-led government.
Speaking on Sunday during a joint rally at Mponela trading centre in Dowa, the two leaders charged that there is rampant poverty in the country, which they want to fight once they take over government, now that they are united.
“Why should I deny unity when people have no food, companies are closing everyday, there are no drugs in hospitals and when most school leavers have no jobs?
“We thought we could not win in the next general elections if we were to remain divided. Now that we are united, we are optimistic that we are going to win and remove the country from the current problems,” said Tembo.
Speaking earlier, Kainja cited corruption, poor macroeconomic and agriculture policies as some things that have led to serious poverty in this country.
She said time has come for the party officials and supporters to completely forgive each other if the party is to take over leadership in government.
Tembo and Kainja emphasised that anyone who is against the unity in the party is free to leave because it shows that they are not interested with the leadership of the party.
“If I managed to accept unity after being fined thousands of kwacha and removed from parliament because of the case brought on me by my president, why should you resist the unity?” queried Tembo.
The two leaders confirmed that the party will be holding its convention next month to give people a chance to confirm leadership in the party, saying all positions would be up for grabs.
They also emphasised the party’s stand on the current debate on the proposed constitutional amendment to extend terms for the country’s president to three five year terms, saying they “totally reject” it.
On why Chakuamba was not present at the rally, Tembo said they agreed that the president should go to other areas in the Southern Region to spread the unity in the party.
Almost all the MPs from the Central Region attended the rally but treasurer general Hetherwick Ntaba, who is believed to be eyeing the party’s presidency, was conspicuously missing.
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