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JB’s aide attacks Chilumpha

Kamanga speaking in Lilongwe yesterday
Kamanga speaking in Lilongwe yesterday

President Joyce Banda’s adviser on communication and political affairs Elias Wakuda Kamanga yesterday attacked the former People’s Party (PP) vice- president (Central Province), Dr. Cassim Chilumpha, alleging that he already showed signs of not fitting into the party during its convention in Blantyre last year.

Speaking at a press conference in Lilongwe, Kamanga said it was not true that Banda masterminded Chilumpha’s resignation by endorsing Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Fahad Assani as PP’s parliamentary candidate in Nkhotakota South Constituency ahead of the party’s primary elections in that constituency next Monday.

Chilumpha resigned from the party on Thursday and, in an interview with Zodiak Radio, blamed the President for sending PP officials to de-campaign him in his Nkhotakota South Constituency in favour of Assani.

But Kamanga said yesterday: “When Dr. Chilumpha was elected at the PP national convention, he immediately left the convention hall without even having the courtesy to wait until all proceedings were finalised. This, to the PP, was a telling sign of an irresponsible leader. The President is, therefore, not surprised that Dr. Chilumpha has chosen to leave unceremoniously.”

He said Chilumpha did not inform Banda about his resignation, saying she got the news from the media.

“Dr. Chilumpha has chosen to communicate his resignation through the media instead of officially communicating the same to the Head of State who is also president of the People’s Party. This is a blatant case of disrespect on his part especially considering the high post that the former party vice-president held.

“Any politician let alone a leader worth their salt should have the courtesy to officially communicate to the party their decision to resign through appropriate structures before going to the media.

“It is peculiar for Dr. Chilumpha to resign in the manner he has done because one should have expected that being a learned lawyer and a former State Vice-President, he should have exhaustively pursued processes to seek redress to his alleged grievances,” said Kamanga.

He further said the party has not benefited from Chilumpha’s membership because he was allegedly inactive.

“He chose to go into oblivion. When he was elected as vice-president last year, the party expected him to engage in mass mobilisation initiatives to woo members to support and join the PP. He did very little of this and whenever he addressed party meetings, it was either in Lilongwe or his district Nkhotakota.

“As vice-president responsible for the Central Province, he ought to have addressed meetings in all the districts in the province considering that the party has elections to win in 2014,” said Kamanga.

Asked why the party is talking about Chilumpha’s performance after he has resigned instead of addressing him on the same while he was still in PP, Kamanga said they expected Chilumpha to perform without being pushed by other party members.

He also defended the party, saying Chilumpha’s departure does not signify trouble and disintegration of PP ahead of next year’s elections.

He, however, said it was not appropriate for politicians to de-campaign other aspirants using the name of the President, insisting that Banda did not send people to Chilumpha’s constituency to drum up support for Assani.

Chilumpha did not pick up his phone yesterday to comment on Kamanga’s outbursts.

But political scientist Dr. Augustine Magolowondo on Thursday cautioned PP against complacency, saying: “You cannot just wish away a person of Chilumpha’s calibre.”

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5 Comments

  1. I blame Dr Cassim Chilumpha for joining PP in the first place. This woman is as dull as Bakili was. They all love politics of ignorance as they are. To them political leadership is about outburst & castigation, yes bwana. Bakili never liked intelligent people, so is Joyce B. They are not for country’s interest but politics of self enrichment.
    Kaka Dr. Cassim, don’t worry about PP & the so called Wakudas. You have the gut & personality, you will prevail. We love you in KK.

  2. Akanayankhulanso chani a Wakuda Kamanga? Ndi zomwe amayankhula mkazi banja likatha. Umva ndinkangopilira, amakodza pogona ameneyu, komanso kuchipinda satha. Chonsecho akudziwa kuti wasiyana ndi munthu ofunikira kwambir.

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