Who will be Leader of Opposition?

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Wednesday July 7, 2010 00:00

In the meantime, the Botswana National Front central committee, scheduled to sit during the President's Day holidays, will also be asked to consider who from among its sitting candidates will be suitable for the job, according to publicity secretary, Moeti Mohwasa.

The congress choice stands a good chance especially that the BNF holds a narrow majority of six MPs, in comparison to five for the BCP with independent parliamentarian, Nehemiah Modubule on his own.

It would be significant how he uses his vote because it has been widely reported in the press and political circles that the newly formed Botswana Movement for Democracy wants him on their side.

Astonishingly though, newspaper reports say the former BDP parliamentarians who defected to form the BMD have put that move to effect inside Parliament.

It is everybody's guess what role they will play in the determination of the candidates for Leader of the Opposition, and the final victor in that race, before Parliament accedes.

In the tradition of the Botswana National Front, which has been the main opposition party for the longest time, the highest ranking BNF Member of Parliament assumes the role of Leader of Opposition.

This means that in two weeks time when the BNF congress sits in Mochudi, one of the two legislators standing for the vice-presidency, Kgatleng East MP, Isaac Mabiletsa, might succeed Gaborone as Leader of Opposition. Mabiletsa also appears on Duma Boko's lobby list for the presidency.

Another likely contender for the post is Kanye South legislator, Abram Kesupile, who is vying for the deputy secretary-general post in the party.

The new MP was on Gaborone's presidential lobby list.

If Mabiletsa is to lose the contest for vice-president, and Kesupile wins as deputy secretary, the latter is likely to gain endorsement for leadership of the opposition.

However, an inside source points out that some members are campaigning for expelled Lobatse MP, Nehemiah Modubule, who has applied for re-admission to the party, that he should be recommended for Leader of the Opposition, a position he once held.

This is seen as a reconciliatory move, which could help steer the party to unity. Meanwhile, Mabiletsa is said to have long indicated that he wants the job. He is said to have rigorously campaigned for the post immediately after the incumbent Leader of Opposition, Otsweletse Moupo, failed to secure his parliamentary seat in Gaborone West.The road to the post was then open for Gaborone.

Asked for comment, BNF spokesman, Mohwasa said it was not the party rule that a high-ranking BNF MP in the central committee automatically assumed the position of Leader of Opposition. 'The new central committee that will emerge out of the congress will choose who becomes the new Leader of Opposition. It is not rigid that the highest ranking member will assume the post. They might even retain Gaborone,' said Mohwasa.

Mabiletsa, on the other hand, dismissed claims that he has been campaigning for the lucrative parliamentary post.

'At the moment I am preoccupied with the leadership of the party where I am contesting for vice-president. I have not even applied my mind to that (of Leader of Opposition),' he quipped.