By Burnett Munthali
The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has reiterated its dominance and strong grassroots structures, as evidenced by the overwhelming reception President Lazarus Chakwera received upon his arrival in Mzuzu City.
MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda said the turnout was a testament to the party’s deep-rooted presence and unwavering support across the Northern Region.
Speaking during the President’s visit, Chimwendo Banda took the opportunity to criticize opposition parties, arguing that their lack of solid ground structures forces them to rely on market days to attract crowds for their rallies.
He dismissed their public gatherings as opportunistic rather than a demonstration of genuine political strength.
“The warm welcome that the President received here in Mzuzu is proof that MCP is well-organized and deeply embedded in the communities.
Other parties struggle because they lack proper structures, which is why they time their rallies during market days, hoping to attract people who are simply there for their daily business,” said Chimwendo Banda.
His sentiments were echoed by Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara, who is also MCP’s First Vice President.
She emphasized that the party remains vibrant and is actively preparing for the upcoming elections.
According to her, MCP is already in the process of selecting its candidates, with aspiring Members of Parliament gearing up for primary elections ahead of the September polls.
“The level of activity within MCP is remarkable.
We have aspiring MPs already mobilizing in their constituencies, preparing for the primaries.
This shows that our party is not only alive but also ready to retain and even expand its influence in the forthcoming elections,” said Gotani Hara.
The strong presence of MCP in Mzuzu and other parts of Malawi is likely to play a crucial role as the country inches closer to the next general elections.
With internal structures seemingly intact and candidates actively engaging their constituencies, MCP appears confident in maintaining its hold on power.
Meanwhile, opposition parties face the challenge of proving their own organizational strength and mobilizing genuine grassroots support beyond the convenience of market-day rallies.
As the political landscape continues to heat up, the reception President Chakwera received in Mzuzu is likely to serve as a morale booster for MCP while intensifying the competition for support in the months leading up to the elections.
