The dissenting voices of BDP legislators
Chakalisa Dube | Friday December 16, 2016 15:51
In public, BDP MPs have adopted a style of self-censorship and never speak against Khama. Most BDP debates are held in house and what comes into public is usually an agreement that has been reached during caucuses.
Francistown West legislator Ignatius Moswaane and Nata/Gweta Member of Parliament (MP) Polson Majaga form part of the few MPs who have always gone against the party tradition.
When one thinks of MPs who usually publicly attack the BDP, Tati East MP Samson Moyo Guma comes to mind. Guma completes the trio whose penchant of going against party tradition has often attracted criticism from other ruling party MPs.
At one point, Khama issued a stern warning against MPs who usually speak against the party in public. Then there was intense speculation that Khama was referring to Moswaane.
Yesterday Moswaane maintained his usual stance that his trademark does not mean that he is disregarding the party, but he is acting in the interest of his constituents.
However, it appears that some legislators are beginning to show much desire to do away with a conservative approach of doing things. The BDP MPs have appeared to be very critical of the party more than ever when responding to the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Just this week in a more amplified voice, the BDP Francistown East MP Buti Billy came out of his shell and laid bare his frustrations towards President Khama’s tendency of not attending Parliament to respond to the SONA.
The BDP has often blamed a busy schedule for Khama’s absence from Parliament. Khama often attends Parliament when he officiates during important occasions.
“It is not right for the President to be reading SONA to people and then leave it to the MPs to discuss without listening to them. Even those who try to defend him will make mistakes because he understands what he is saying better,” noted Billy.
Billy said that Khama’s attitude of missing Parliament is equal to killing democracy. He emphasised that it is vital for those entrusted with political office to account for their decisions.
Moswaane has also in the past decided to break ranks with his BDP fellows by tabling a motion requesting that Khama should attend Parliament to account for some of the government actions.
Billy’s outburst cannot be seemingly ignored for some reasons. He is considered a very reserved character in Parliament, hence it is inevitable for such remarks to garner much interest.
The other scenario may be that Billy’s remarks reflect the frustration that is building up on some BDP MPs towards the President, and by extension the party. It also shows that the BDP caucus might be stifling debate among legislators. If it were not stifling debate, Billy would have engaged the caucus on the matter before reaching Parliament.
This week Billy defended his actions when responding to the SONA.
“I also account to my constituents hence, the President has to account to the nation. Khama has to directly hear our concerns when we respond to important activities such as the SONA,” he said.
He acknowledged that as per tradition, most of the things discussed in Parliament should come through caucuses.
“However, the tradition does not mean that I cannot go against certain agreements of the caucus when debating issues in Parliament. I can go against them depending on what has transpired in Parliament.”
Billy said that his actions should not be construed to mean that he was frustrated by how the party caucus operates.
“I am merely doing my job as a member of the National Assembly. Caucuses are not meant to prevent people from debating issues in Parliament,” he said.
Yesterday, BDP secretary general Botsalo Ntuane referred Mmegi enquiries to the BDP Chief Whip Liakat Kablay.
Kablay told Mmegi that it was unfortunate for Billy to have openly spoken against Khama in public.
“MPs are entitled to their opinions, but they should respect the decisions of the caucus. The reputation of the party comes first. Speaking against the President is equal to speaking against the party. It brings the party into disrepute,” he said.
He added that Billy could have raised this issue during caucuses. He also indicated that Billy’s remarks should not be calculated to mean that the BDP stifles debates.
“During caucuses, every MP can say whatever he or she wants. The decision of the caucus should be respected.”
He continued: “The caucus has long agreed that the Ministers and the Vice President should address questions in Parliament on behalf of the President. The President is usually busy, hence cannot often be in Parliament”.
He said the BDP will continue encouraging its MPs to respect deliberations of the caucus.