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Former government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati’s husband, Angie Dishon Kaliati, has joined mainstream politics and intends to contest in 2014 tripartite elections as a Member of Parliament (MP).
Kaliati, who disclosed this over the weekend in an interview, said he had been inspired and motivated by his wife who has been an MP for Mulanje West Constituency for three consecutive years now, holding various cabinet portfolios.
“Having been approached by chiefs and people from Mulanje Pasani who asked me to contest as an MP for the area, I accepted after considering that their coming meant they have seen potential in me, perhaps through a line of businesses I run there.
“And seeing how my wife [Patricia Kaliati] has been developing her constituency, I felt obliged and inspired that I should humble myself, take up that challenge and contest for the position under the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket after, of course, passing through procedural primary elections,” he said.
He further said that he feels he stands a better chance of beating other candidates in the constituency since he is based right in the rural area just next to the constituency, unlike other contestants who go to the constituency to get elected and then forsake the voters.
“I am already based in the rural area. These people have always been coming for assistance and I have been helping them yet I am not an MP.
They know what I am capable of doing and I believe this would woo more voters to my side,” he said.
He, however, said that much as he will stand on the DPP ticket, he had not officially informed the party’s national executive committee about his intention.
MP for the constituency Peter Nowa, was not readily available to comment on the emerging aspirants in his constituency.
Much as the Electoral announced the beginning of campaign period, some aspirants and political parties are already busy campaigning ahead of the 2014 elections.
