By Isaac Salima:
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Mutharika has ruled out the possibility of the party going into an electoral alliance with another party for next year’s elections.
Mutharika said this on Wednesday during an interview for Times Television’s ‘Times Exclusive’.
Mutharika said he feels the party can make it alone during the elections.
“In 2009, we had a landslide victory after getting 67 percent without an alliance. It means we can do it alone. We have no plans for a political alliance. We talk with other parties but not on alliance,” he said.
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Mutharika further said he believes that supporters have not abandoned the party.
“In 2012 when we lost Bingu wa Mutharika, there was a massive defection from the party but we still won the 2014 elections. This time there has not been a massive defection after we lost the elections and we still have the numbers that can win the elections,” Mutharika said.
The DPP went solo in the May 2019 elections where Mutharika was declared winner in the First Past the Post system that was in use then.
However, the court nullified the presidential election on account of irregularities and ordered a fresh presidential election which the country held in June 2020 using 50%+1 system.
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For the fresh presidential election, DPP paired up with United Democratic Front (UDF) where Mutharika made UDF leader then Atupele Muluzi his running mate.
The election was eventually won by nine-party Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Lazarus Chakwera, president of Malawi Congress Party, whose running mate was Saulos Chilima, president of UTM.
Mutharika said the party is no longer working with UDF.
“We have not been talking with UDF. We are not in an alliance with it,” he said.
Mutharika announced recently that he would be back on the ballot in next year’s polls if the party gives him mandate to be its torch bearer at its convention slated for July this year.
“I had to take my time the same way I did in 2014. All sectors of society want me as their president. People feel I am the best candidate. I am simply respecting the people’s call,” he said.
On his fitness to conduct campaigns, Mutharika who turns 85 next year said there are no concerns.
Political commentator Ernest Thindwa said it is too early for the DPP to decide on whether to go into an alliance with other parties or not.
“As we go towards next year’s elections, the political climate may become clearer and that will determine whether the party will need an alliance or not,” he said.
