Khama Begs warring members: Please Compromise
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday March 27, 2017 17:06
He said this will promote party unity and cohesion.
When giving a keynote address at the party’s 55th National Council meeting at the Travel Lodge in Gaborone, he said the party is at a delicate stage where damaging divisions in membership ranks cannot be afforded given the crucial 2019 elections.
“In line with the principle of consensus, the expressions of interest filed do also assist the party in exploring the possibility of finding common ground between aspirants.
I have received reports of jostling for influence in regional congresses that preceded the National Council,” he said.
Khama said tensions will escalate after the National Council as aspirants tussle for delegates to the National Congress, a situation which if not handled with care may revive factionalism with its worrisome implications for cohesion in the party.
“Therefore as party president in consonance with the agreed principle of consensus building and in our endeavour to promote party unity and cohesion, I wish to ask all to encourage candidates standing in each position to meet and agree on only one of them standing.”
“Should this attempt find traction, it goes without saying that the 37th national congress will be smooth.
It will be a celebration of our unity,” he added. Signs of emerging tensions within the party are menacingly advancing as hungry aspirants mark time for the covetted positions. The most notable one is the powerful chairmanship position that is pitting Vice President and current BDP chairman, Mokgweetsi Masisi and Cabinet minister, Nonofo Molefhi.
Already, fists have reportedly started flying between members of the two camps.