UDF, DPP electoral alliance for 2019 polls likely—Analysts
Political analysts have said they can foresee the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) forming an electoral alliance in the May 2019 Tripartite Elections after enjoying a healthy working relationship in Parliament for four years.
Governance expert and political commentator Makhumbo Munthali said after analysing the speech of former president Bakili Muluzi to the UDF convention at Comesa Hall in Blantyre on Wednesday, where he asked politicians to respect President Peter Mutharika, the likelihood of DPP and UDF forging an electoral alliance in 2019 is high.
“The remarks made by the former president Bakili Muluzi may indirectly signal the possibility of a DPP-UDF electoral alliance. With the United Transformation Movement (UTM) led by vice-president Saulos Chilima and Malawi Congress Party ( MCP) as seemingly its main challengers, DPP cannot afford to go into the next election single handedly. And for no doubt UDF would be in the current circumstances the first choice so that they consolidate the Southern region vote,” he said.
Munthali noted that Muluzi’s indirect attack on UTM may as well rule out any possibility of a UTM-UDF alliance as some had speculated.
“Its important to note that Bakili Muluzi is an influential figure in UDF politics, and it is obvious that the UDF leader Atupele Muluzi cannot make any political decision on the future of the party which is not in the interest of his father. In short, Muluzi dictates- behind the scenes- who the party should enter into an alliance with, and his statements made should not just be easily dismissed,” he said.
In his address, Muluzi appealed to politicians against abusing the spirit of multiparty democracy as that is destroying the country.
He also urged people to exercise their democratic rights with responsibility and respect their leaders.
Said Muluzi: “Please do not destroy this country because of politics. This is the only country we have. Should we destroy it because of politics? Multiparty should not destroy this country.
“Whether mlamu [in-law] or not, you cannot stand on the podium and call your President mtchona.”
During his presidency from 1994 to 2004, Muluzi himself is on record to have spoken ill of other politicians.
Political analyst Ernest Thindwa said the UDF and DPP are likely to have developed an electoral relationship outside the working relationship they have inside Parliament.
The two parties have already tries an electoral deal as in the April 10 by-elections, the governing DPP did not feature a candidate in Malindi Ward in Mangochi North East Constituency to give chance to UDF while the UDF did not contest the Milonde Ward by-election in Mulanje South East Constituency. DPP’s Mike Skinner won Milonde Ward while UDF’s Kassim Limamu claimed Malindi Ward.
DPP secretary general Greselder Jeffrey said the party’s working relationship with UDF remains strong.
While Atupele Muluzi, who is Minister of Health in President Peter Mutharika’s Cabinet, said the new UDF executive committee will soon come in the open on its position and future.
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Chair is here to protect his interests and that of his family not that of the nation. Unfortunately some people follow blindly. I cry for Malawi because we promote people based on where we come from and not necessarily ideologies that are ideal for our country. No wonder we are moving backwards instead of forward.
Dpp should be careful with udf. Udf should also be careful with dpp. Dpp can easily wipe out udf. Udf is eyeing the vice presidency so that they take over should Alamu Pumani Mwakalamba dies in office. At 80 anything can happen to APM. He is a very old person biologically. The balance is tipping towards death for anyone above 70. Ask Alex Ferguson.
Very TRUE.
One can smell sinister motives on either party, especially UDF. It’s an open secret that Tcheya remains very bitter with what late Bingu (MHSRIP) did to him after 2004
This looks like an opportune time to strike back. Politics of greed and vindictiveness.
UNDIBWEDZERE MA VOTI ANGA, KODOKODO MAMA WAAAAAAA!!!!
SHAME!!!
UDF is already in an alliance with their fellow thieves, DPP. Nothing new. Don’t make this news to fool illiterate Malawians. The only message here is that birds of a feather flock together and es up to Malawians to re-elect thieves or change the direction of that impoverished country for good. Malawians deserve to be where they are because of their stupidity voting for wakuba yemweyo
APM will be impeached by 2019, having accepted to return the money that a thief deposited in HIS bank account. There will be no DPP / UDF alliance.
Atupele Muluzi ndimwana okumva mwambo unlike zinazi. He is also more matured and more popular with a larger following than Saulosi.
Atupele is therefore a better choice to partner APM and that block shall be unstoppable.
Moto kuti buuuuu.
DPP 2019 Boooma
DPP instead eti……mphamvu zonse gully mpaka kukakamozidqa kubera ndalama
What so you mean forming an alliance? They have been in alliance for years!!!! Nothing new, nothing to write home about, it’s pretty obvious from the remarks made at the tired UDF elective conference
Mwambi wankhayi ndiuwu PACHOKA NZAKO PALIMALO. Langizo langa kwa atupele ndi loti alemekeze akuluakulu ndi anthu osaphunzirafe. Chaka chamawa kulilongwe kulintchito. Atupule, Lilongwe, Lazalo Lilongwe, Saulo naye akuti ngwaku Area 18B kwa senti. Mwana onyoza makolo alibe mwai..
Kkkkk…Abambo Bakili thawi yanu yinatha tapumani zandalezi ngati bambo Tembo please chonde..
lero inu ndi gulu lawazi gogo womwe tikukanawa.
Muluzi has always set the agenda for politics in Malawi since the dawn of democracy. Now he is negotiating with APM that there should be an alliance between DPP and UDF and Atupele is going to be the running and if DPP wins, which they will likely, the Atupele becomes the Vice President.
DPP will not win wamva. Awawa zawavuta tchayano. Umbava wakula. Anthu atopa ndi atsogolereri akuba. Kodi kubweza Mk145 million siumboni umenewo? Nanga zaku ESCOM, Waterr?