Opposition brainstorms over new Chief Whip
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday November 16, 2017 18:00
In the UDC, the name is supposed to be agreed upon by the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) as per their agreement. Previously, under the agreement, the BMD was given the opposition Chief Whip position as the Botswana National Front (BNF) was given the coalition presidency.
The situation is now different as the BCP has joined the UDC and has the same number of MPs as the BMD. Former BMD MPs, who are now a part of AP, officially migrated to their new party on Tuesday and were allocated seats.
Former UDC chief whip, Wynter Mmolotsi was one of those who defected and therefore left the post behind.
Both AP and UDC are due to bring their nominations by next week at the latest.
National Assembly speaker, Gladys Kokorwe said it was hoped the parties will not delay.
“We hope they will not take long because Parliament business is ongoing and some of the things will need the main opposition Chief Whip to intervene or be invited to,” she said.
BCP spokesperson, Dithapelo Keorapetse said he could not comment as the opposition parties were currently engaged in how they will cooperate in Parliament.
“We are busy discussing how we are going to cooperate going forward as opposition MPs. We will discuss that one as the UDC after we finish our discussions on this one,” he said.
Mmegi has learnt that the UDC may put forward Gilbert Mangole’s name as their candidate, as the legislator is the longest serving member in their ranks.
Yesterday, Mangole said he could not comment on the matter as he had not attended an opposition caucus held recently.