…MCP slams SKC, APM
The UTM might have new colors, sing new songs and ring what appear to be brilliant ideas, but officials in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) see no difference the party has with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from where it arose.
Vice President Saulos Chilima leads the UTM which initially emerged as a pledge group within the DPP before it grew out to an independent party. 
He has over the recent months indicated he has developed policies and ideas that he feels are totally different from Peter Mutharika’s DPP.
He has slammed Mutharika over what he says is failure to man the affairs of the nation. The two worked together from 2014 to June this year when Chilima broke ranks with the DPP.
Their feud recently went to the extent of the omission of Chilima’s office in a new cabinet listing.
But for the MCP, it is rather a case of old wine in new wineskins.
The MCP has questioned Chilima’s innocence over several issues that have marred Mutharika’s regime.
Speaking at a rally in Mchinji today, MCP Director of Youth Richard Chimwendo Banda wondered why Chilima has been mum on top issues that need probe.
“Have you heard Chilima speak of investigating the deaths of Robert Chasowa or that of Issa Njaunju? He and President Mutharika are the reason behind Malawians suffering,” Said Banda.
His sentiments were initially said also by Mchinji MCP Chairperson Chibisa.
He says people in his district are well aware that DPP and UTM are the same.
Surprisingly, this comes hot on the heels of media reports the MCP was pondering on seeking the UTM in an electoral alliance for the 2019 polls.
As Malawi24 had reported, the MCP was also said to be wishing to engage the People’s Party (PP) in the alliance.
Questions are emerging now whether these recent tantrums the MCP is firing at the UTM indicate the fallout of the said alliance or whether it adds up the momentum to the much anticipated poll next year.
A recent opinion poll had suggested that the DPP is poised to win seconded by the MCP with UTM and PP coming third and fourth.
