Fri, 26 May 2017 21:44:45 +0000
By AARON CHIYANZO
THERE is no hatred between UPND and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) as politics is just a competition to control the treasury and serve people in a nation, says UPND secretary general Stephen Katuka.
Mr Katuka said that politics was a competition to control the treasury and that people should not think there was hatred between political players.
He said in an interview with the Daily Nation that there was no hatred between PF and the UPND even if they were political contenders.
Mr Katuka claimed that he had shared light moments with PF members on several occasions but that they were peaceful with each other. He reiterated that being in competition did not necessary mean that there was hatred between the contenders because they were fighting for the same goal.
Mr Katuka explained that politicians were all determined to serve the people and that competition was healthy for the nation to develop.
“Competition is healthy in a nation so that people have a wide range to choose from. Otherwise, I don’t see political players as enemies, there is no enmity. I have sat in parliament with PF members, drunk tea with PF members. There is no hatred, we all just want to serve the people and control the treasury,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Katuka said that people should not be scared to provide checks and balances to Government.
He reiterated that political party leaders were elected to office to serve the people who voted for them.
Mr Katuka said that even as leaders controlled the treasury, they should ensure that money was used for the intended purpose.
He pointed out that it was important for people to compete in an election so that leaders were compelled to work hard.
“If leaders know that they can be removed from Government for failure to serve the people, they are compelled to work even hard. So, competition is health in a democracy,” said Mr Katuka.
