BDP factional realignment and the rise of the Third Force :: Mmegi Online

If the weekend launch of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) veteran and Molepolole South candidate Daniel Kwelagobe is anything to go, the yesteryear’s Barata-phathi and A-team factions of the party are, like a sleeping giant awakening.

Not only are the two previous hostile factions arising from their stupor but they are also marching one towards the other in apparent realignment of ideals. And why the realignment? The reality is that time – especially time in politics does not tick the same as your Lanco or Seiko. In political times the BMD was formed just yesterday. The party was the result of discontent with the party leadership specifically its president Ian Khama.

The president had not only suspended from the party, but had also recalled one of the BDP’s darlings the late Gomolemo Motswaledi who was a member of the Barata-Phathi. So, when the BMD was formed, it drew a huge chunk of the BDP largely those from the Barata-Phathi faction. Meanwhile a new camp was pupating within the BDP.

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