Kalindo quits DPP NGC post
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) deputy publicity secretary Bon Kalindo has resigned from his position after the party summoned him to a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.
Kalindo, who is also member of Parliament (MP) for Mulanje South and comedian popularly known by his stage name Winiko, was summoned following misunderstandings that emerged between him and some senior party members.
The MP confirmed relinquishing his position in the party’s national governing council (NGC) in an interview yesterday, saying he wants to give attention to his personal businesses.
The comedian-cum-politician said he communicated to the party leadership on Tuesday after he was called for a disciplinary hearing.
Said Kalindo: “Because of other private businesses I am engaged in besides my political career, I voluntarily told the disciplinary committee my desire to relinquish my position as deputy publicity secretary.
“In principle, the committee agreed but said my resignation is subject to confirmation by President Peter Mutharika who is the leader of the party.”
The disciplinary committee comprised, among others, the party’s senior officials such as its vice-president George Chaponda (Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development), secretary general Ecklain Kudontoni and his deputy Grace Chiumia (Minister of Sports and
Culture), publicity secretary Francis Kasaila (Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), national campaign director Jappie Mhango (Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security) and legal adviser Charles Mhango.
However, Kalindo said he will remain “a bona fide and active senior member of the party while focusing on my other private things.”
When contacted yesterday, Kudontoni referred The Nation to the party’s publicity secretary who could not be reached on his mobile phone.
The differences between Kalindo and the party politburo were ignited by the parliamentarian’s ‘naked’ demonstration he conducted in Lilongwe to push for enactment of stiffer penalties for perpetrators of attacks on persons with albinism.
The legislator’s action seemed not to have pleased senior party officials, particularly Kudontoni and Southern Region governor Charles Mchacha, who took turns to dress him down during a rally addressed by Mutharika in Mulanje on June 25.
Last weekend, Mchacha, who is also an MP for Thyolo West, in an interview with our sister paper Nation on Sunday described Kalindo as “an attention seeker the party should not waste its energy on.”
