Confusion surrounds UDF’s support for JB

United Democratic Front (UDF) Members of Parliament led by the party’s chief whip Dr. Clement Chiwaya on Wednesday said UDF has not been swallowed by President Joyce Banda’s People’s Party (PP).

They told a news conference in Lilongwe that their support to Banda is only in Parliament and not outside the House.

Two UDF MPs in Banda’s Cabinet, Machinga North East MP Atupele Muluzi and Mangochi North MP Ibrahim Matola, said they were not aware of the news conference.

Chiwaya said their support to Banda’s administration depends upon her continued upholding of human rights, sound financial management and good democratic governance.

Asked whether UDF will field a presidential candidate to challenge Banda in 2014 elections, Chiwaya said the party’s convention will decide whether to go into a coalition with any party or field a candidate.

But Muluzi said: “I am hearing about the press conference from you. That is not the impression I have.” He was responding to a question whether UDF’s position is only to work with government inside Parliament and not outside the House.

Matola also said he was not aware of the press conference and said Chiwaya was better placed to comment on why they were not present at the press conference. Chiwaya said all UDF MPs are working as a unit and liaising with government on where they wanted changes to be done.

He said the MPs will, however, not interfere with the application of Section 65 in the House following UDF secretariat’s petition to the Speaker to declare vacant seats of UDF MPs who have completely left the party to join PP.