MCP Will not feature Candidate in Zomba Changalume – Seat previously held by alliance partner PP.

By Martha Chilumpha

 In efforts to cement the spirit of the alliance, Malawi Congress Party has decided to with draw  from the by elections in Zomba Changalume and will support  the candidate for People’s Party. The Seat fell vacant after the death of Che John Chikalimba  who until his death was the Peoples Party legislator  for the area

According to Malawiana Times sources, at a recent internal meeting MCP aggreed that it will be best if the party withdraw from fielding a candidate in the area as one way of honouring their alliance partner Peoples Party. This will be the first high profile show of solidarity between the Tonse alliance partners.

One commentator speaking on anonymity said the move is surprising as Malawians have come to know that the Tonse alliance was largely for the presidential candidates only. He said   at the same time this move is positive as it will see the alliance partners giving each other a chance – especially in seats that were already occupied by other alliance partners The move is suspected to be a response and trying to avoid  the animosity that arose in Karonga Central  where the battle between UTM and MCP ( alliance partners)  candidates was so intense with potions of violence from the two sides and a lot of castigation by the supporters on social media when UTM featured a candidate Frank Mwenifumbo to contest a seat that was previously held by MCP’s late Dr Cornelius Mwalwanda