DPP welcome back two lawmakers: Malunga, Liwimbi dump PP
Malawi’s former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) says it welcomes back two lawmakers into its fold who left for the governing People’s Party government led by Joyce Banda.
Former Tourism, Wildlife and Culture Minister Dr Daniel Liwimbi and former Energy and Mining Minister Grain Malunga announced this week that they were back in the rank and file of DPP, ditching Banda’s PP.
When president Bingu wa Mutharika died on April 5, some ministers and lawmakers rushed to announce their support for Banda and her PP.
Liwimbi was dropped by President Banda in a mini-cabinet reshuffle but claimed he only declared himself independent MP and that he could not join PP at the expense of DPP.
While Malunga said his constituents in Chikhwawa north have advised him to return to DPP.
DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi said the two MPs were welcomed back to the DPP>
“We in DPP welcome the MPs back at the party they love so much,” said Dausi.
He said other lawmakers and ordinary were ditching PP to return to DPP, saying “they are a legion”.
Some of the party’s parliamentarians who have returned to DPP are Luscious Kanyumba of Bwanje South Constituency, Steve Kamwendo of Bwanje North, Damson Chimalira of Ntcheu South, Everton Chimulirenji of Ntcheu North East and Assani Lipande of Ntcheu North.
Others are Otria Moyo Jere of Kasungu West, Herbert Bimphi of Ntchisi North and Geoffrey Mbuzi of Ntchisi North East, Fredrick Kamwangala of Lilongwe North West and George Namatumbo of Chiradzulu West, Bofomo Immanuel Nyirenda of Mzimba Luwerezi and Yunus Mussa of Zomba Central.
Dausi said DPP is intent on retaining power in 2014. He disclosed that they have embarked on an intensive recruiting spree but declined to reveal their recruitment strategy .
Meanwhile, Dausi who is also chairperson of the convention’s main organising committee, said DPP will require at least K60 million (about $181 818) to hold it’s first-ever convention in April next year.
He said the party expects to get money from well-wishers and supporters and that they will be opening a bank account “specifically for the convention.”
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