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Chilima Movement, DPP respond

 

Member of Parliament for Mulanje South Bon Kalindo says the Chilima Movement will continue to back Chilima as it remains unperturbed by his decision not to contest for any position at the DPP convention slated for this month.

Kalindo said the  objective of the movement was to urge Chilima to be president of this country and they respect his decision not to do that through the DPP platform.

“Our aim was to urge him to be president.  We will respect what he has decided to do, it’s his right. We are equally happy because our wish is for him to be president, we will now follow whichever direction he is going to take. We will not stop until we fulfill this agenda,” he said.

Kalindo: We will not stop

However, Kalindo also mentioned that much as it was certain that they will remain Chilima followers, the movement would meet to discuss the way forward.

In a separate interview, another member of the movement Patricia Kaliati said she was happy with Chilima’s decision.

“He has done this to protect those who have been supporting him from the violence by DPP,” she said.

But Kaliati, who is DPP national director of women, could not say whether she will leave the party to follow Chilima, saying she would address that question later.

On its part, DPP feels vindicated that Chilima himself has not been part of the movement to challenge Mutharika for the presidential candidacy.

DPP spokesperson Francis Kasaila said in an interview those involved in the Chilima Movement were voicing their personal opinions.

“We respect his decision not to contest. We have always argued that the person involved [Chilima] had never made any decision over the calls to contest. The people that were spreading this issue were voicing their opinion and wishes,” he said.

Kasaila added that Chilima’s decision was an indication that there were no divisions in the party. n

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