Political parties in the opposition Mgwirizano Coalition and those in the ruling coalition with the UDF will not consider their partners when contesting in the forthcoming parliamentary by-elections in January.
Aford and UDF, pillars of the ruling coalition which includes NCD, Mgode and Republican Party (RP), have already clashed in Mzimba Southeast constituency where both indicate they will field candidates, ignoring an agreement they cemented for the general elections.
Aford secretary general Wallace Chiume said his party will field candidates in both vacant constituencies in Mzimba Southeast and Mzimba North but UDF spokesperson Humphrey Mvula said Aford is not supposed to field a candidate in Mzimba Southeast.
Mvula said under the agreement, Aford is supposed to field a candidate in Mzimba North only where he said the UDF has agreed not to have a candidate.
But Chiume said his party will field candidates in all constituencies where they think they have the potential to win, including Mzimba Southeast.
“And we don’t care if they (UDF) also want to field a candidate but we will win,” said Chiume.
Mvula said UDF will have discussions with other members in the ruling coalition for a possibility of supporting candidates for those political parties that are strong in certain constituencies and hoped they will reach an agreement.
He indicated that the ruling coalition agreed to give a chance to a party that was holding the seat before the position fell vacant and to discuss basing on popularity where the constituency was held by a party outside the partnership.
But Mvula said his party will also field candidates in every constituency, apart from Mzimba North, if they fail to reach an agreement with other coalition members.
Mgode national chairman Greene Mwamondwe said in a separate interview his party will field candidates in all constituencies where they think they are fit to win “because we are a different party on our own but we just signed a working relationship in government”.
Mgwirizano Coalition legal advisor Kamuzu Chibambo said every political party in the grouping will contest individually without considering the popularity agreement they were using during the general elections.
Chibambo said political parties in the coalition are now more interested in strengthening their position in Parliament and not advancing the interests of the coalition as it was during the general elections.
According to Chibambo, parties in the coalition were giving a chance to a popular party in a particular constituency which all other parties were supporting.
“That arrangement was applicable during the general elections. Each party will now contest as an individual [party]. At this point in time every political party is looking at strengthening their position in Parliament,” Chibambo said.
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