BDP fears UDC in Molepolole North?
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday June 26, 2014 14:40
Sources within the BDP say the party is worried that the current MP and Assistant Minister, Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri might lose to Mohammed Khan of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). That is why some cabinet ministers have been holding Kgotla meetings in Molepolole North to campaign for Matlhabaphiri.
Today President Ian Khama will join the bandwagon and address Kgotla meetings in the same constituency, a move that many believe is a strategy to campaign for Matlhabaphiri. The President will also address public servants in the afternoon.
The BDP top command is reportedly worried that infighting caused by the fallout from the primary elections may cost the party the seat. “The internal fighting within BDP in that area are likely to affect the party performance badly. We had long requested the BDP regional committee to reconcile candidates who stood for the primaries but nothing has been done so far,” said a source.
He said some people are still angry about the way the party primary elections were conducted last year. He stated that there is need to build a good relationship between Matlhabaphir and his main opponent in the BDP primaries, Kabo Sebele. Sebele has never accepted his narrow loss to Matlhabaphiri in the primary elections.
Meanwhile, Kweneng region BDP chairperson, Leo Motlhophi has dismissed claims that Khama’s visit to Molepolole North has anything to do with campaigning for Matlhabaphiri. “People are simply saying their own opinions about Khama’s visit. He will be coming on official duty like he always does in other areas,” said Motlhophi.
The UDC council candidate for Borakalalo ward in the constituency, Arafat Khan said the Kgotla meetings held by ministers and the President are simply a campaign strategy. “Why will they focus on addressing Kgotla meetings in Molepolole North alone when there is Molepolole South constituency too? This is one of their strategies to campaign in Molepolole North,” he said. Of late, cabinet ministers and their assistants have been accused of campaigning for Matlhabaphiri by holding Kgotla meetings in Molepolole North.