The dilemma facing the party has to do with the fact that Naledi North is one of its strongholds but its affiliation to BCP poses problems because of an opposition pact over by-elections. The NDF is not a signatory to a pact binding Botswana National Front (BNF), BCP, Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM) and Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) to field joint candidates in by-elections.

Under the arrangement, the party with the highest number of votes in the last general elections in 2004 produces the joint candidate in a by-election to contest against the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). As per the arrangement, the BNF would provide the opposition candidate in Naledi North because its man the late Mosimanegape Otsholeng won the seat in the 2004 general elections.

However, the NDF is in a quandary because it is not a signatory to the by-election pact. Its arrangement with BCP says that it contests elections under the BCP banner unless the two parties have agreed otherwise.

NDF president, Dick Bayford said the by-election issue was discussed at a BCP national executive committee meeting last week. The matter has been referred to the NDF for further discussion with members.

Bayford said after they have discussed the issue, they will hold more talks with the BCP.

"We had not anticipated the scenario," he said, referring to the by-elections. BCP secretary general, Taolo Lucas said his party is still bound by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that they signed with other opposition parties for by-elections.

"We still recognise the existence of the Memorandum of Understanding," the BCP official said, adding that NDF leaders also respect the MoU. Lucas said there are some people in the NDF who have been expressing interest to contest the Naledi by-elections.

He indicated that they are still discussing the matter with the NDF.

But a source close to the two parties, said the NDF will contest the by-elections with BCP backing if the on-going cooperation between the opposition parties fail.

During the 2004 general elections, the BNF scooped the Naledi North ward with 495 votes followed by the BDP with 398.

The NDF's candidate Segametsi Tshetlhoyame was third with 167 while the BCP representative, Maranyane Solompore got a paltry 35 votes. While the opposition parties are engaged in unity talks, there has been a public spat between the BNF and BCP.

Even the NDF has joined the fray. BCP and NDF officials have been attacking the beleaguered BNF at joint rallies.

Both parties broke away from the BNF. There has always been an animosity between the BNF and the two groups.