Opinion / Columnist
Opposition coalition will not win: Biti
19 May 2017 at 07:05hrs | Views
In yet another vote of no confidence in the mooted grand opposition coalition, People's Democratic Party, (PDP), leader, Tendai Biti has admitted that an opposition coalition would not dislodge Zanu PF in the 2018 harmonised elections.
Contributing to an online publication, Biti submitted that "the one self-evident conclusion is that in the short-term, ZANU PF cannot be dislodged. That despite its fractures, the opposition, even in a grand coalition, cannot dislodge Zanu PF."
This comes hard on the heels of similar sentiments expressed by former MDC-T official, Dr Toendepi Shonhe, international think tank Afrobarometer and political expert Professor Stephen Chan, to the effect that the opposition's chances of winning the 2018 harmonised elections were slim to none, given President Robert Mugabe's enduring popularity. Professor Chan summarised it saying while President Mugabe had supporters, MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, had sympathisers who could not be relied upon.
Biti also appeared to take a dig at the MDC-T's penchant for violence stating that "it (transition) must be captured to create a soft landing for our country and in the process, deny the merchants of violence who want a civil war or a coup de tat in this lovely country we call home." Tsvangirai told local media recently that he would not accept the 2018 elections outcome if he did not win, threatening to unleash violence and make the country ungovernable. "If I do not win in 2018 I will not accept the election result because it is very simple. How does a minority win over the majority? How a minority divided, fragmented and imploding win over a united opposition and a united alternative?"
Tsvangirais Deputy, Thokozani Khupe, made similar remarks on Saturday, 29 April 2017, in United Kingdom, (UK), where she indicated that "if (President) MUGABE refuses to go, we have plan B. I can't divulge the details now because I don't know who is here.
Interestingly, Biti's dismissal of an opposition victory in 2018 comes comes as his party is engaged in talks with other opposition parties that are expected to culminate in a grand coalition. However, his remarks on the invincibility of Zanu PF raise questions as to his belief in the coalition and its ultimate goal of dislodging the ruling Party.
The remarks will also likely anger his envisaged coalition partners, among them National People's Party , (NPP), leader, Joice Mujuru and Tsvangirai, who are both vying to lead the coalition in the belief that they would become the country's next President.
Contributing to an online publication, Biti submitted that "the one self-evident conclusion is that in the short-term, ZANU PF cannot be dislodged. That despite its fractures, the opposition, even in a grand coalition, cannot dislodge Zanu PF."
This comes hard on the heels of similar sentiments expressed by former MDC-T official, Dr Toendepi Shonhe, international think tank Afrobarometer and political expert Professor Stephen Chan, to the effect that the opposition's chances of winning the 2018 harmonised elections were slim to none, given President Robert Mugabe's enduring popularity. Professor Chan summarised it saying while President Mugabe had supporters, MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, had sympathisers who could not be relied upon.
Tsvangirais Deputy, Thokozani Khupe, made similar remarks on Saturday, 29 April 2017, in United Kingdom, (UK), where she indicated that "if (President) MUGABE refuses to go, we have plan B. I can't divulge the details now because I don't know who is here.
Interestingly, Biti's dismissal of an opposition victory in 2018 comes comes as his party is engaged in talks with other opposition parties that are expected to culminate in a grand coalition. However, his remarks on the invincibility of Zanu PF raise questions as to his belief in the coalition and its ultimate goal of dislodging the ruling Party.
The remarks will also likely anger his envisaged coalition partners, among them National People's Party , (NPP), leader, Joice Mujuru and Tsvangirai, who are both vying to lead the coalition in the belief that they would become the country's next President.
Source - Tinotenda Mutasa
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