UDF wants its MPs out of PP govt

United Democratic Front (UDF) national executive committee has asked its legislatures to relocate from government to the party’s opposition benches in the National Assembly when it meets.

The party executive meeting held in Blantyre on Friday said it will give the party Chief Whip Clement Chiwaya the mandate to recall MPs from government benches.

By implication, the resolution is also going to party members of parliament who have been given positions in the government to relinquish their ministerial posts . They included Atupele Muluzi who is Economic Planning and Development Minister and Ibrahim Matola who is deputy minister.

UDF deputy spokesman Ken Ndanga confirmed that the part executive meeting agreed to the party’s voice be heard in Parliament.

“The country is facing a lot of challenges and the party has agreed that we should be offering solutions , also checks and balances as an alternative government,” he said.

“All UDF MPs must be back to opposition benches,” said Ndanga on what the party agreed.

He said the party has no problem with its MPs aligning themselves with the current government to offer development to the people but said the working relationship with PP was “not benefiting UDF.”

Ndanga said in politics “ you must be able to deal with matters depending on how the politics is happening at that point of time.” He did not elaborate.

During the meeting, the faction which has Friday Jumbe, Sam Mpasu and Ziliro Chibambo did not attend. Jumbe and Chibambo were invited but Mpasu is not executive members owing to his conviction record, according to the party. Secretary General Kennedy Makwangwala chaired the meeting.