This historic outcome has left BDP members divided and frustrated, with heated discussions taking place across various social media platforms. Members have turned on each other, with accusations and demands for accountability circulating, particularly on WhatsApp, where calls for the resignation of the party’s Central Committee (CC) have become increasingly vocal. Leaked conversations obtained by Mmegi shed light on the intensity of these sentiments, as disgruntled members express their frustrations with the party leadership. According to the leaked recordings, many BDP members believe that the CC should bear significant responsibility for the party's poor performance at this year’s polls. They argue that missteps in decision-making and a lack of responsiveness to members' concerns led to a loss of support. Some members have even gone as far as calling for a special congress to address these issues and take decisive action against what they deem as a failure of leadership. "We know that some of the BDP members contributed to the loss of our party as we failed to vote for it," remarked one frustrated member. This sentiment echoes across several conversations, with members admitting that their disillusionment with the party’s internal processes prevented them from casting their votes in favour of the BDP. According to these members, unresolved grievances, particularly regarding the BDP’s internal primary election process known as Bulela-Ditswe, were a critical factor in their decision not to support the party. "Some members didn’t vote for it because they were unhappy with the outcome of Bulela-Ditswe as they complained that they weren’t heard properly," another member noted.
The primaries held just two months before the general elections, have been a particular point of contention. Many members argue that this timing left candidates with insufficient time to mount effective campaigns, ultimately putting the party at a disadvantage. "The party leadership’s decision to hold primary elections two months before the general elections was one of the ticking bombs," a member commented. "Candidates did not have enough time to campaign, which became a disadvantage to the party." This short campaign period was seen as a crucial error, one that weakened the BDP’s position and hindered its ability to mobilise effectively. Moreover, the lack of reconciliation within the party following the primary elections has left lingering divisions. According to the leaked discussions, BDP leadership made no effort to mend the rift between successful and unsuccessful candidates, a move that some members feel exacerbated internal conflicts. "The members did not call for reconciliation to those who lost," a BDP member lamented. This failure to foster unity amongst party members has contributed to a climate of distrust and resentment, making it difficult for the BDP to present a cohesive front in the general elections. In addition to internal party dynamics, members have also highlighted the arrogance of some BDP leaders as a factor that contributed to the party's defeat. This perceived arrogance, they argue, alienated voters and prevented the leadership from addressing the genuine concerns of the party’s base.
