BLP, BCP relationship doubtful
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday March 13, 2023 06:00
Many people are not happy that the AP has failed to take a stand on an issue that the BCP and the BLP had failed to agree on a candidate for the Bosele ward at the Gaborone Bonnington North constituency.
Both the BCP and the BLP have fielded candidates for the impending by-election that will be held on March 25. Despite that, the BCP, AP and BLP have issued press releases that they will be working together in the 2024 General Election, and therefore, cooperation talks regarding constituency and ward allocations will be concluded soon.
Early indications, however, suggest tension is mounting between the three parties as some believe that the BCP has a 'Big Brother mentality' and therefore denies smaller parties opportunity to contest in by-elections. Recently, when addressing the media, the BCP leadership refuted allegations that it has a 'Big Brother' mentality' against other parties.
According to a source within the BCP, the party leadership felt that its candidate is well-known in the ward. Therefore, it will be easy for the ward to be won looking at the votes the candidate polled during the last general election. “Our candidate is credible and he is capable of winning the election. Again, the candidate has been taking care of the ward.
Mind you, we are talking about a person who was contesting on behalf of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and he had impressive numbers. So, why can’t we field such a person? As the BCP we are willing to cooperate with the AP and BLP but we must be fair on some issues. We are going to work hard to campaign for our candidate for him to win,” the source said.
On the other hand, the BLP feels that its candidate is also capable to win the ward. Secretary-general of the BLP, Kgakgamatso Kebiditswe said the new coalition would not be affected by what is currently happening at the Bosele ward. "We tried to negotiate as parties, but we could not reach an agreement. So, we did not contest behind the BCP's back.
We both knew that we are all contesting," said Kebiditswe. There is unconfirmed rumour suggesting that the AP might have connived with the BLP to field a candidate.
Two weeks before the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) called for the submission of party candidates, there was an audio circulating on social media in which some AP members expressed concern that there have been denied an opportunity to contest the ward. The BCP secretary-general Goretetse Kekgonegile said: “The BLP and the BCP are contesting Bosele ward by-election because the coalition has not yet kicked off. It has to be understood that yes, negotiations are continuing but we have not yet reached a point where we discussed the wards and by-elections.
The BLP is within its right to contest.
Again, negotiations for by-elections were just a gentleman’s agreement. We both had good reasons why we wanted to contest. This would not affect our 2024 General Election negotiation talks.” He also said any bilateral negotiations outside talks would not hinder their progress to achieve the biggest goal which is winning the 2024 General Election.
In addition, he said when one wants to contest for elections, the core principle that is looked at is the party size, incumbency and footprints which BCP has when looking at Bosele ward.
He added that if a party has resources, time and energy, there is nothing wrong with it contesting until there is a formal agreement that has been signed by all parties. Kekgonegile pointed out that as far as things stand, BLP and BCP have not breached any clause and there is no bad blood between members or at the leadership level.
However, he said the issue of Bosele ward allows each party to introspect further. On the stand taken by the AP, Kekgonegile said it took a good stand so that it does not take sides. He added: “AP leadership managed to listen to both of us hence they reached that conclusion.” So far, Bosele ward will be contested by five candidates which include BCP's Kgomotso Kaelo, Botswana Democratic Party's (BDP) Moseki Isaac, BLP's Sesupo Olebile, UDC's Olebile Maplanka and Independent Candidate, Molomo Sentsho.
Meanwhile, at Grootlaagte ward, Gantsi North constituency, the candidates include BDP's Moretlwa Petro, Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) has Theko Kopanelo, UDC's Tjitemisa Sehakgamaleng and Independent candidate, Malesele Jacob.