BCP remains resolute
Ryder Gabathuse | Monday June 27, 2022 06:00
The story of the mood inside the BCP as told by its information and publicity secretary, Mpho Pheko is that the party is focused on its political business, as the road to the 2024 general election is slowly getting clearer.
The rank and file is preparing for the important conference in Mahalapye next July, where major decisions will be made, which will determine whether the BCP remains in the UDC or it exits.
Most importantly, the BCP has made its point clear enough that the UDC led by Duma Boko has to up its game and improve on internal democracy failing which it will have no choice but to quit the coalition.
The BCP accuses Boko of unilateralism and that his leadership style does not respect the rule of law with democracy the worst culprit.
BCP president, Dumelang Saleshando has articulated his position widely and warned that if the situation does not improve, they have the option to bolt out. On the other hand, the UDC position has been that all is well in the UDC.
This matter has apparently sparked controversy in the BCP with some party members challenging the wisdom of dumping the UDC, which has popularised even the BCP as a coalition partner.
BCP spokesperson, Pheko is adamant: “The mood in the BCP is a resolute one.”
Whether true or not, Pheko’s story is that her party is not privy to the widely reported speculation that it is facing suspension or exit from the UDC.
“We don’t know. Our hope and experience is that we are not suspended. We are for the ideal of opposition unity,” she told Mmegi yesterday. She, however, qualified: “We have been mandated to work with like-minded political organisations in our endeavour to attain a change of government in 2024 and there must be respect for the rule of law.”
Post the recent Palapye UDC national executive committee (NEC) meet, the BCP was requested to apologise to the coalition politburo, and instead they (BCP) chose to set conditions to the request to apologise.
Asked to retract and apologise for its previous ‘obnoxious’ statements, the BCP chose to request for further particulars of its alleged offence.
“We haven’t been furnished with anything for what we will be apologising for,” explained Pheko.
With the political climate within the coalition partners reaching fever pitch, the BCP is prepared for any eventuality.
According to Pheko, the BCP will cross the bridge when it reaches it. “If we are suspended or fired, then we are. Then we will gather our political blankets and bundle out.”
Pheko indicated that one of the reasons for forming the BCP was for it to provide hope of attaining state power to the masses. She said it is in this regard that masses continue to protect the BCP as a party and brand.
“Unity with other like-minded organisations is what we will continue pursuing vigorously and relentlessly,” she highlighted.
She was, however, quick to point out that they are dealing with pockets of those who are worried if anything happens and the BCP exits the coalition arrangement.
She was elated that some have shown readiness to walk with the party in its journey to the 2024 general election.
She added that the BCP last congress never picked names of whom they should work with but rather it pointed out that it should be a like-minded organisation that deliberately respects the rule of law.
UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa was yesterday dismissive of speculation that the BCP has been suspended or was headed for expulsion from the UDC.
“The UDC NEC hasn’t met and as such there is no such a decision,” Mohwasa told Mmegi yesterday.