Former minister ditches PP

Former ruling People’s Party (PP) continues to swim in turbulent waters with more of its members jumping ship to join other political parties.

Over the weekend, former PP administrative secretary Peter Kaleso joined Umodzi Party while one of the party’s former Cabinet ministers Halima Daudi defected to Malawi Congress Party (MCP).

But PP spokesperson Noah Chimpeni says the party has not yet received a letter of resignation from Daudi.

“I only heard that Daudi just attended an MCP rally not necessary that she has completely joined that party. Maybe, they will communicate to us, but as of now, it is really difficult for me to comment on that,” he said, adding that Kaleso left PP a long time ago.

However, speaking in an interview yesterday, Daudi could neither confirm nor deny the reports.

“Kamufuseni wakuuzani kuti ndachoka m’chipaniyo [Go and ask the one who told you that I have resigned from PP] or ask the PP secretary general if he has my resignation letter,” she said before hanging up.

Commenting on the issue, MCP second deputy secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka confirmed in a separate interview that Daudi has joined the party.

“To us this is good news. It is a sign that the party is growing at the grassroots. We have put up deliberate strategies to strengthen the party and it is working perfectly. You know in politics numbers do matter,” he said.

Umodzi Party president Professor John Chisi said, as a party, they are in jubilation following the coming in of Kaleso.

“This is a sign that, as a party, we are growing and we are proud. His coming in is a boost to our morale. We want more people of his calibre to come in because the future of Malawi lies in Umodzi Party,” he said.

Since losing the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections, PP has faced massive resignation of its high- ranking members while, on the other hand, the party also suspended and expelled several senior members due to disagreements.

Commentators have observed that the party is sailing through turbulent waters due to the absence of its leader, Joyce Banda.