By Burnett Munthali
In a recent post on his Facebook page, Billy Malata laid bare his frustrations regarding the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) treatment of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and its key figures, particularly focusing on the Muluzi family. His reflections shed light on a strained relationship that has defined the two political parties over the years, despite their past alliances.
According to Malata, the DPP has consistently undermined the UDF since Bingu wa Mutharika’s era, starting with what he describes as Bingu’s “seizure” of power from the UDF. Malata further accuses the DPP of turning against the very party that ushered Mutharika into power, citing the arrests of Bakili Muluzi, former UDF president, and his son, Atupele Muluzi, as evidence of betrayal.
He goes on to highlight the DPP’s decisions in 2014 and 2019, when the party opted not to select Atupele Muluzi as its running mate. Instead, Saulos Chilima was chosen in 2014, and Everton Chimulirenji in 2019, both times overlooking the UDF leader.
In what he calls a deliberate move to weaken the UDF, Malata claims that the DPP established offices in the Eastern Region, traditionally a UDF stronghold, in a bid to erode Atupele’s influence. He further alleges that the DPP engineered the defection of many UDF MPs, tipping the political balance in the region to ensure the party’s dominance over Atupele’s UDF.
Malata’s post also recounts the events leading up to the 2020 elections. He states that Atupele campaigned tirelessly across the country without support from the DPP. DPP members had promised that if the party won, Atupele would take back control of the government and restore it to the UDF. However, after the election results were announced, Malata suggests that DPP leaders quickly shifted the blame for their loss onto the UDF, despite Atupele’s valiant efforts.
He also expressed deep disappointment over the absence of DPP president Peter Mutharika at the funeral of Atupele’s mother, noting that despite being his running mate in the 2020 elections, Mutharika did not attend the burial.
Malata’s message to UDF supporters is clear: he warns them against falling prey to DPP propaganda, particularly that spread by figures like Bon Kalindo. Malata points out that Kalindo himself was once at the forefront of campaigning for the Tonse Alliance, led by Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, while Atupele was campaigning for the DPP.
His closing remarks urge UDF members to focus on rebuilding their party and regaining its former glory. He reminds them that UDF has historically proven its strength by wresting power from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), while the DPP, on the other hand, has often relied on UDF support to gain power.
Malata’s post offers a sobering analysis of the complex and often troubled relationship between the two parties, calling for introspection and unity within UDF as it looks to the future.
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