MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-UTM and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) electoral alliance ahead of May 21 presidential election has been sealed.
Both the mainstream and social media have become awash with speculations that the alliance has agreed upon having Dr Lazarus Chakwera as its torchbearer and Dr Saulos Chilima as running mate.
However, in an interview on Sunday, MCP’s Publicity Secretary, Morris Munthali declined to divulge more details about the final deal, only to say that their talks are still in the pipeline.
“What we can say to Malawians is the Malawi Congress Party gave power to the President, who came up with a committee to discuss with the colleagues in the UTM Party on a possible alliance towards the 2020 elections and beyond. The two committees have been meeting and all what can call upon Malawians is that let us hope that something is going to come out of the discussions on a possible alliance.
“What we can say now is that at the appropriate time, Malawians will be told on the progress and outcome of these discussions because we do not want to preempty what is being discussed and what has been agreed upon. As of now let Malawians tread carefully on the talks about the alliance,” said Munthali.
When she was asked to comment on the speculations of the results of the alliance talks, Secretary General for UTM, Patricia Kaliati, said she was yet to be abreast with the reports but all she knows is that there is positive progress of the discussions.
Last Sunday, Sidik Mia, who was Dr Chakwera’s running mate in the 2019 court nullified presidential polls, announced that he was ready to give up his position as a running mate for the sake of the alliance and the nation at large saying, Malawi is bigger than personal interests.
But inside UTM party sources on Monday, March 9, 2020 told the Maravi Post that the issue of who is going to lead the coalition has not been made.
The source disclosed that Chakwera and Chilima will finalise the deal today, Monday that official announcement is expected on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.
“The alliance has been sealed. What has remained is the two leaders to agree who to lead the alliance. Chilima and Chakwera will finalise the whole deal tonight.
“These social media and Daily Times stories that Chakwera will lead the alliance while Chilima being runningmate is MCP’s supporters desperate move as they are trying to advance their agenda. Official communication will be made this week,” says the source.
The nation is yet to be told who is going to lead the alliance.
