- Mr Chisanga, was UPND Vice President but resigned shortly after the death of founder party leader Anderson Mazoka citing untenable dynamics in the party.
By OLIVER SAMBOKO
A SEARCH for a Bemba running mate for the UPND has started in earnest following the spectacular collapse of prospect NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili who has been dropped.
Among those being courted is a prominent Lusaka businessman, Mr Patrick Chisanga.
But when contacted, Mr Chisanga who could neither confirm nor deny having been approached, refused to comment on the matter.
“For now I have no comment,” he said when contacted by the Daily Nation.
Mr Chisanga, was UPND Vice President but resigned shortly after the death of founder party leader Anderson Mazoka citing untenable dynamics in the party.
Mr Chisanga’s leaving the party also followed the resignation of other prominent UPND leaders who left following its General Assembly, which was held from July 13-14, 2006 citing tribalism, harassment, and intolerance for non- Tongas in the party.
And now Mr. Kambwili’s politics have reportedly encountered serious challenges forcing the opposition party to start hunting for another Bemba to contest as running mate to President Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Kambwili who has been in a loose alliance with UPND, was seen as a possible running mate to Mr Hichilema after the former party vice president Geoffrey Mwamba resigned his position to rejoin the ruling PF.
According to impeccable sources, following minimal performance in the by-election held in its perceived stronghold, UPND is now looking for a politically clean person from the northern circuit to win the critical Bemba vote in this year’s general election.
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