Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has once again reassured its membership and the public at large that it is in the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) to stay. This was said by the party’s spokesperson, Dithapelo Keorapetse who is also a Member of Parliament for Selibe-Phikwe West.
“The BCP is committed to the UDC and will remain a member in good standing.” he said “Therefore the rumors peddled against BCP and its President should be treated as street gossip intended to deceive and mislead.” he added.
There has been rumours accusing BCP of wanting to exit the UDC, among other reasons, the romours qouted the exclusion of BCP Student wing at University of Botswana (UB) from the UDC student wing during Student Representative Council (SRC) elections. Commenting on the matter, Keorapetse proclaimed, “We have explained developments at UB, that our structure there did not pull out of Moono wa Baithuti and that we hope the matter is resolved for a more united student movement that encompass UBCD and other parties in the next SRC elections.”
Some ‘reliable sources’ as qoutedby some news outlets and social commentators said that the reason for the BCP tour countrywide is because they are consulting with their members for an exit resolution.
“The BCP remains a constituent member of the UDC in good standing. It does not derive mandate from rumors or reliable sources. We draw mandate from Conference which remains the supreme body of the party. The BCP Central Committee has never resolved on any exit from the UDC. It does not have those powers as they lie with membership Conference. The Party has recently explained in detail the need to interact closely with membership to make sure that it remains a strong BCP for a stronger UDC. The BCP presidential tours are a foundation upon which these interactions and interfacing are done.” Keorapetse comdemned the rumours.
For his part, the party President, Dumelang Saleshando, who is also the Vice President of the UDC and a Member of Parliament for Maun West said the rumours are just sensationalism by the media for the sake of sales. He said through his Facebook post.
“Truth is, it’s those that we call comrades that are feeding the media with all manner of rumours about the innocuous tour geared at growing the BCP. In response, I have decided to review my nationwide tour schedule. There will be more meetings than initially planned, some of which will be streamed over social media. This is not the time to retreat on account of “faceless reliable sources” no matter the power of their sponsors. Its time to shower the party I lead with toil, tears and sweat!” Saleshando asserted.
