By Symon Tonya
There was a low turnout at Katoto Ground in Mzuzu on Sunday, where the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), in conjunction with its partners the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), the Liberation for Economic Freedom (LEF), and the National Development Party (NDP) held what it called a Blue Alliance Mega Rally.
DPP president, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, was the last to arrive at the rally at exactly 3:30 p.m., after his running mate, Jane Ansah, and NDP president, Frank Mwenifumbo.
The former president was welcomed by a crowd too small for a four-party alliance.
Addressing a handful gathering,Mutharika said his comeback to active politics and decision to contest in the election is aimed at rescuing the country.
“This country has rotten, it is on fire, and I accepted to come back so that I rescue the country. Although I am not a pastor, but I do what I promise.
“They met in Mulanje last evening, to rig the polls, and sabotage me, but this will not happen. On the 16, I will rescue this country,” he said.
Mutharika said he has established an economic rescue committee, which has not completed it’s work on how to grow the country’s economy.
“The first thing is that we will make sure we have forex, then we will look at huge debt that the country has.
“Our manifesto is people centered. We need to get the economy down to the people, not concentrating it at Capitol Hill. Let councils do the projects because they know the needs of their communitie,” he added.
The 85-year-old former Malawi leader promised to complete the Mzuzu Youth Centre, but also continue with road projects in Mzuzu and eventually make it a city with international standards.
He also promised a new Mzuzu Stadium, with plans to demolish the current one.
“We did provide water to all districts in the north, and you remember MCP said the north did not deserve water.Remember them when voting on September 16.
“Education will be free at secondary school, and with this , I will deal with all parents who will not be sending children to school. We will also ensure that we have technical colleges in all constituencies,” he said.
Besides loans and other programs for youths, Mutharika also promised to continue with the Malata-cement program, with prospects of having 6000 houses constructed by 2030.
“For all this to happen, let’s go and vote on September 16. Let us encourage everyone to vote. When they give you money, receive it, but don’t vote for them.
“Even if MCP would give me money, I will receive it, but I cannot vote for them,” he concluded.
On her part,Ansah criticized the current leadership under President Lazarus Chakwera of failing to take responsibility over the rising cost of goods in the country.
She said the current leadership likes blaming traders for the rising prices, yet if is failing to manage the economy.
“Everytime, you hear them blaming business people over what the say deliberately hiking prices of goods.
“When DPP left office, inflation was around 8 percent, but today, it is 36 percent. How then do you blame traders for hiking prices of goods? wonders Ansah.
Taking his turn,Mwenifumbo,said his presence at the DPP rally was motivated by their belief that Mutharika would return to government and further develop Malawi.
He noted that the former president had initiated significant development in the Northern Region, including the construction of the large Reserve Bank of Malawi ((RBM ) in Mzuzu.
Mwenifumbo added that during his visits to villages, people expressed confidence that Mutharika would return to power.
In his remarks,Chihana, expressed disappointment over statements made by Chakwera’s running mate Vitumbiko Mumba in Karonga on Saturday.
Mumba had claimed that fertilizer would be sold at a price of MK4,000 under Saulos Chilima, not under President Chakwera.
However,Chihana clarified that, according to evidence presented by Chilima during the Tonse coalition discussions, the statements actually originated from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), not Chilima.
