DPP on re-union mission ahead of convention

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is using its convention consultative meetings to ask party followers to reconcile with senior party officials on the wrongs they did when they were in the government under the leadership of late Bingu wa Mutharika.

The DPP convention chairperson Nicholas Dausi told the media that the meetings aimed at engaging its constituency, district and regional officials to solicit their input on policies that will govern the party’s forthcoming convention, started on Monday in Blantyre.

“This time we are in the southern region conducting convention consultative meetings. As the president has said that during our time (regime) we may have done things that people were not happy with and we sincerely apologize,” said Dausi

“So at a grass root level; from branch, area, district and regional level we must come out and say that certain things that the people were not happy with, we regret it and sincerely apologize.

“Because it’s only after you realize a mistake that people will say these people are really converted.”

On whether people are showing interest to challenge the interim leader Peter Mutharika on the presidency, Dausi said at the moment forms have not yet been distributed.

Reports are emerging that some DPP members want National Assembly speaker (also a DPP MP for Nkhotakota north) Chimunthu Banda to contest for the party’s presidency at the convention.

The DPP convention slated for April 17 this year, will cost the party at least 60 million kwacha, officials have said.

According to Dausi, well wishers have already started pledging and providing funds for the event to meet the required target.