BDP SUFFER FROM OPPOSITION INFILTRATION

Staff Writers | Monday March 18, 2013 00:00

 

 In his report to the BDP national council meeting in Gaborone on Friday, he said the opposition has infiltrated the party so much that they decide who wins the primaries.

Balopi said the opposition now register as BDP members to vote in weak BDP candidates that will easily lose in general elections. He cited BDP loses at Maboane Ward in Letlhakeng West, Tumasera-Seleka in Tswapong South, Mmathethe in Ngwaketse South and Block 8 in Gaborone to buttress his case. The BDP may have ruled Botswana since independence but even the party faithful are in agreement that it is in decline.

Veteran BDP chairman, Daniel Kwelagobe has said this is not a new trend. He said that since the days of Festus Mogae as president, the ruling party has been winning the elections with a less impressive popular vote of around 54% or below.  Kwelagobe told the national council meeting that he is worried by the trend. He fears that very soon, the opposition could catch up or overtake the BDP.

Before even the national council meeting could deliberate on the long-standing problem, President Ian Khama was quick to offer an answer. He said the problem is the BDP. He explained that BDP is a party that has a habit of voting with the opposition.

He said if party members can kick the habit, the BDP can win all the 57 constituencies. Khama recently instituted an investigation into why the BDP lost by-elections in Tswapong and Mmathethe. The two wards were held by BDP before the by-elections.