UDC snatches BDP councilor
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday December 15, 2015 15:51
The UDC is made up of the BNF, Botswana Movement for Democracy and Botswana People’s Party.
Bokopano Tumiso was welcomed into the party and issued his membership by BNF and UDC president Duma Boko during a press briefing at the BNF head office yesterday. He had tagged along another former BDP candidate for Takatokwane, Elson Baeletsi, who contested the 2014 general elections as an independent council candidate for Motokwe ward.
Tumiso is also an additional member of the BDP national executive committee of the National Youth League and chairperson of the Takatokwane branch youth league.
When welcoming the party’s new catch, Boko said that more people, especially from the BDP are beginning to see that the UDC is the party to lead Botswana. He said that he expects more BDP members to join UDC. He said that next year they will welcome many of Tumiso’s followers in his constituency.“Even those we are with in Parliament, some of them are telling us that they are scared that many people, especially the youth are associating with the UDC. And you are certain that among them there cannot be a spoilt vote,” he said.
Boko said that new members should be welcome unconditionally.
He further said that UDC is for those who have the interests of Batswana at heart and who want to see change in the country, adding that the few who do not have that should also be left to leave the party.
“Many people who are yearning for change and with a good interest for Botswana would join UDC. Bao ba nang le rona mme ba re tlogela ba tlogeleng ba tsamae ka gore ba bata seriti sa Motswana se kalwa ka sekale sa fona le diphaphatha.”
Boko said that there is unequal distribution of developments by government, adding that Takatokwane constituency is reeling in poverty. He said that BDP has to be unseated from power because it does not understand sustainability. He said they will continue to put pressure on government to televise Parliament proceedings because it is a violation of the rights of Batswana by denying them chance to see their Members of Parliament debating issues in the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, Tumiso said that he quit BDP because they were not allowed to talk about issues affecting their constituencies.
“The issue of water and electricity made me quit the party. I was also impressed and charmed by how UDC parliamentarians debate issues in parliament. I could see we have leaders who want what is best for Batswana. I am happy to be a member of this party,” he said, adding that he was not bought to join UDC.
He said that he is going to work hard to help UDC win the Takatokwane constituency from the BDP and advised his new party to target ordinary members of the BDP.