Minister of Information, communication, technology and civic education Patricia Kaliati has said the central region is no longer Malawi Congress Party (MCP) stronghold saying more people are now supporting the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) due to its programmes supporting the poor.
Kaliati made the remarks at Mchinji Community ground on Friday when she addressed a public meeting.
She said gone are the days when people in the region were supporting the MCP by virtue of the party being founded by late Kamuzu Banda, who was from the central region.
“Most people in the region are now appreciating theDPP led government programmes targeting the poor such as the social cash transfer and Malata subsidy programmes which has improved people’s lives,” she said
“This is your only chance to show your support to the ruling government by voting for a DPP parliamentarian,” she said, adding, “ time for politics was over.
The minister also called on DPP party leaders in the district not to impose candidates on the people but wait for primary elections where people would choose the person they want to represent the party.
Speaking during the same meeting, Senior Group Village Headman Mgulula said Mchinji west which includes Mchinji Central Business area is under developed, therefore needs more development programmes.
He said the area lacks water and asked government to consider constructing dams to boost irrigation farming.
Mchinji West constituency fell vacant when the former MCP parliamentarian Billy Kanjira Banda died in March this year.
The DPP is yet to hold primaries for the constituency but top aspiring candidates for the party include Lonzoe Zimba President of Malawi professional Boxing control Board.