DPP seeks views from its members on manifesto
The Malawi opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has set off on drive that seeks to solicit views from party members on the new manifesto it intends to develop in readiness for the 2014 tripartite elections.
This was disclosed during the meeting the party organized on Friday at Mphatso motel in the northern city of Mzuzu.
Among other things the party is planning to remove some developmental agenda contained in the 2009 general elections manifesto which it deems are contrary to the wishes of its members.
This is the first time in the Malawi’s democratic politics for a political party to seek members’ views on the development of its manifesto.
“We want you as our members to contribute what should be removed or included in the new manifesto>. For instance, quota system policy which most members here in the northern region are against,” said the party’s convention chairperson Nicholas Dausi.
Dausi said the party would also get its members views on whether it should consider implementation of its brain-child development projects such as the Nsanje Inland Port, Farm Input Subsidy program and Green Belt Initiative among others.
“As DPP we believe that begging food from foreign partners cannot end hunger among Malawians but initiatives such as the Green Belt Initiative can help the people do farming throughout the year”, said Dausi, adding: In our new manifesto we will also consider the relationship with the media because these people help to maintain democracy in any country”.
On the political scene, Dausi who is also the party’s Publicity Secretary, bemoaned what he called ‘politics of hypocrisy and castigation’ among most politicians, a development he said is greatly affecting political development in the country.
“People are expecting us to tell them development agendas we will initiate for them if we get into power not casting each other, this politics of castigation and hyporacy is destroying parties”, he added.
Party’s dignitaries who attended the meeting included George Chaponda, Francis Mphepo and Kondwani Nankhumwa.
