Khama could face challenge from within

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Wednesday March 9, 2011 00:00

 

Sources inside the party say some members are disgruntled at the President's call for a compromise instead of election for party positions, as the latter is the root of a vibrant democracy.

The BDP is to hold its congress in July.  The disgruntled members are reportedly arguing that factionalism in the party has thawed hence there is no need for such things as compromise.  'The calls for compromise could have been made at the Gantsi Congress in the 90s where Ponatshego Kedikilwe challenged Khama, but that was not the case because he (Khama himself) was against the idea, he was fresh into politics and indicated that he wanted to learn about the party,' said a source.

He added, 'and we went to Serowe, where Khama was against calls for compromise, and at the height of factional fights leading to 2009 congress Khama was silent on compromise. Why this time, when the party is united?' he asked.

He added that other people also have ambitions of leading the party and the only chance they have is to stand for those positions and either win or lose at elections. Meanwhile, the source was confident that controversial Assistant Minister of Local Government Kentse Rammidi was safe and enjoying the support of other party members on his mission to stand for the post of party secretary general - and not a Cabinet position. 

'Yes, we are behind Rammidi. The President is tired of firing people. How long will he do this - firing everybody who holds a different point of view from his?' He said. Last week, Rammidi even went to the extent of telling those in power to prepare for his gratuity for the months he has served in Cabinet, as indications were clear that his exit door has been opened.

Khama recently announced at a rally in Molepolole that he has asked party chairman Daniel Kwelagobe to compile a list of preferred candidates. In what could also be sign that all is not well in the ruling party, Members of Parliament (MPs) have openly displayed rebellion by calling for salary increments for civil servants, while the President has been insisting on a salary freeze. Even party chairman Kwelagobe has stated that civil servants deserve a salary raise after three years of no increment.

Commenting on the issue, BDP spokesman Dr Comma Serema said he was not aware of any members who were unhappy over the issue of compromise. He said that the 2010 National Council endorsed compromise, which the BDP Youth Wing ultimately implemented at its congress the same year.

'The membership agreed to go the compromise route and will re-state the position at the forthcoming National Council at the end of this month,' he said. He could not remember when the last time the party adopted the compromise route, apart from last year's youth congress.

He said that the party constitution allows for all central committee positions to be contested except for the presidency and additional members nominated by the president at congress. The position of president can only be contested for during a general election year.