Malawi Democratic Party (MDP) President Kamlepo Kaluwa has declared his intention to contest in 2014 Parliamentary Elections in Rumphi East Constituency but on the governing People’s Party (PP) ticket.
Kaluwa, who has recently seen working with the ruling party but not yet joined the PP, said he is optimistic that PP will accept his parliamentary candidature.
The rablle-rouser politician said he joined PP unofficially some months ago and the PP executive is still processing the required procedures to enable him became a bona fide member of the party.
The MDP president was reacting to media reports that he is planning to stop working with the ruling PP.
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He said he is ready to hand over his post of MDP President to senior members of his party.
“It’s just a sacrifice, nothing at all. Am not joining the party for money or whatever but I want to assist the party to develop the country but this does not mean MDP is gone,” he said.
He observed that MDP has other well experienced politicians who can take the party to prosperity as well.
Kaluwa who came into the light in early 90s in fighting against one party state but never won any parliamentary seat in the parliament says he is hopeful that in 2014 he will secure a place in parliament.
“With PP I know for sure that I will become the MP,” Kaluwa emphasized while smiling.
Deputy spokesman for PP, Ken Msonda said Kaluwa has never officially expressed his intention to join the party besides working with PP following what the party’s president Joyce Banda has been saying that the door for PP is open for any political party or an individual to work with government.
“What I know is that Mr Kaluwa is just working with us in government and not that he joined PP or he communicated to us about his plan to join the party, if so then let him officially write us his intention to join the party,” Msonda said.
He said the party is not barring anyone as long as one expresses intention to join it formally.
Msonda added Kalua should understand that working with the ruling party and joining the party are two different issues.