Chilima asked to unite with opposition
People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) leader Mark Katsonga Phiri has called on Vice-President Saulos Chilima and the United Transformation Movement (UTM) to unite with opposition parties if they are to defeat the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in next year’s tripartite elections.
Katsonga was reacting to a question on social media reports that he had joined UTM. He denied joining UTM but said there have been talks with the movement to have an opposition alliance to fight a common enemy.
The PPM leader said: “We all have a common enemy that is government. DPP has failed Malawians and it is high time it was kicked out of government. Malawians are suffering and the economy is not ticking. We all want to see a better Malawi, that is why we need to come together and fight as one.”
On her part, UTM secretary general Patricia Kaliati said talks with other parties are at an advanced stage and the results will be known soon.
However, she said UTM has agreed that Chilima will be the torchbearer, adding anyone is free to joing the movement.
In a separate interview, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Maurice Munthali said it is good to unite as long as parties have a common ground.
He said: “It’s not a matter of uniting but you need to check agenda and vision of others. It’s about running this country and replacing it with a visionary leadership.
“Those that unite shouldn’t be dented themselves. What if in the course of uniting you discover that you have people with personal interests? There could be some corrupt people and that is not good for the country.”
