Mpariwa chickens out from MDC VP race

MDC veteran politician Paurina Mpariwa has chickened out of the race as Nelson Chamisa's deputy opting to contest for the position of women assembly chairperson.

MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume confirmed the development to the Daily News yesterday saying Mpariwa was nominated both for vice president post and women assembly chairperson.

"She just withdrew from contesting for the VP post and opted for women's assembly chairperson. She was nominated for both posts," Mafume said.

The withdrawal of Mpariwa has reduced the number of bigwigs who are contesting for the vice president position to seven.

Those vying to deputise Chamisa include current VPs Morgen Komichi, Welshman Ncube and Elias Mudzuri.

The triumvirate will battle it out with other party bigwigs who include former Finance minister Tendai Biti, Lillian Timveos, Lynnet Karenyi-Kore, and former Zanu-PF MP Tracy Mutinhiri who have all secured a nomination or two.

MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, who recently threw in the towel and put his weight behind Chamisa while he settled for the position of secretary-general, will battle Chalton Hwende and Daniel Molekeli.

For the post of treasurer-general, former Education minister David Coltart is expected to square off against Tapiwa Mashakada.

For the position of national youth assembly chairperson current secretary general Lovemore Chinoputsa is set to battle it out with Obey Sithole, former student leader with the Zimbabwe National Students' Union (Zinasu).

This comes as the opposition party has begun caucuses for those contesting where they are going to outline their plans for the party.

Mafume said after presentations of their manifestos they will respond to questions from the public.