
This was after supporters sympathetic to the youthful
leader heckled and booed Mwonzora as he took to the podium to address the
rally. Mwonzora has thrown his name in the hat and will be challenging
Chamisa’s MDC Alliance presidency at the party’s crucial congress in May.
It was, however,
clear from the onset of the rally that Mwonzora could have a torrid time as
almost all high ranking MDC Alliance leaders who spoke seemed to accuse him of
being Zanu PF by challenging Chamisa.
Dangamvura-Chikanga
MP and MDC chief whip Prosper Mutseyami had set the tone of the rally by
declaring that a caucus by all sitting MPs and senators backed Chamisa’s
presidency beyond congress. Organising secretary Amos Chibaya who was directing
proceedings also hammered home on the need for the party to maintain its
momentum by retaining their young leader declaring that any thoughts of
changing their leader was a Zanu PF agenda.
Youth Assembly
leader Happison “General Bvondo” Chidziwa pronounced his position saying as
young people they would support one of their own for the party’s presidency.
Lynette
Karenyi-Kore, the women’s assembly leader also rose to add her voice to the
endorsement of Chamisa’s continued leadership of the party beyond congress
before it was Mwonzora’s turn to take to the podium.
Not to be outdone,
Tendai Biti would also go on to declare that there was no need to change
commanders in the middle of a war.
So by the time
Mwonzora came to the podium, all anger was focused on him as he rose to
deafening booing forcing Chamisa to rush to the stage and threatening to return
without addressing the rally if they would not allow the party
secretary-general to address them.
Chamisa told the
rally he understood emotions were running high due to the impending congress
but bemoaned what he termed Zanu PF culture in which it is a taboo for the
presidency to be openly challenged.
“MDC people follow MDC culture… our secretary-general shall
speak after that we will proceed with our programme otherwise; I’ll not address
the rally myself,” Chamisa said before chiding a group of supporters who were
already raising placards denouncing Mwonzora.
“Put down the placards, this is not the time,” he said.
“I know its congress time… I know you’re used to Zanu PF
culture that says the leader should not be contested. I’ve heard what you said
that you don’t change a commander during war but we want people to determine
their leaders. I’ll have to allow those who want to contest to do so… He who
contests me is the one who strengthens me,” Chamisa said.
He said he knew that
when the party openly shows division it would be because of positions.
“I know that if it’s like this in Manicaland there will be
positions being sought,” the MDC leader said.
Mwonzora on his part
went on to deliver a speech in which he applauded the province’s exploits in
the past election before declaring his vision for a united party.
“I want this MDC to be a united party, I want this MDC to
be a party that chooses, I want this MDC to be a tolerant and democratic party.
I want this MDC as secretary-general to be a disciplined party,” Mwonzora said
in an emotional delivery. Daily News
0 comments:
Post a Comment