Msekwa says no partnership with opposition
 
2007-11-12 08:50:36
By Juma Thomas

Former Speaker of the National Assembly and long time politician Pius Msekwa was recently elected by CCM National congress as vice chairman of the party for Mainland.

Msekwa took over from John Malecela who retired after serving the party in that capacity for 15 years.

Msekwa was nominated by the party chairman Jakaya Kikwete to vie for the post.

Q: How did you feel when you were told that you have been nominated as a sole candidate to vie for the post?

A: I was stunned. I received the news few minutes before the central committee of the Chama cha Mapinduzi could meet to endorse my name.

Our leaders when they make appointments normally keep it a secret until the last minute.

I remember in 1995 when former president Benjamin Mkapa appointed Frederick Sumaye as prime minister, the latter was not aware of the appointment until the last minute.

I remember Mkapa called me and told me about the appointment although by that time Sumaye was not aware.

This is what happened to me. But it was a pleasant surprise.

I was not shocked much because I have been in the party for so long.

I have enough background about CCM. I have participated to prepare a number of party literatures, and I know CCM very well.

Q: You were executive secretary of TANU (Tanganyika African National Union) during single party system.

Now you have assumed party leadership in the multiparty system. What are the challenges ahead of you?

A: I am lucky that I participated in the transition from single party to multiparty system in the 1990s. I know the difference between single party system and multiparty system.

The difference is that during single party system the ruling party was everything.

It was almost the government, managing every sector of the country. All government functions were controlled by the party.

The party was by the power of the constitution.
Under multiparty system, a party becomes a ruling party by the will of the people. It becomes a ruling party by winning elections.

My leadership will consider this factor because CCM is not a ruling party by constitution.

My main task therefore would be to enable CCM win elections fairly.

And this can only be achieved by implementing election manifesto and working to improve the life standard of the people.

Q: Do you think you have something in common with opposition parties. Do you see them as partners in pushing the country`s development or you see them as just opposition.

A: My political science professor taught me that political parties under multipartism cannot form partnership, because every party has its own policies and every party`s job is to sell its policies to the people so they can vote it into power.

Every party`s objective is to win election. Therefore under these circumstances CCM cannot form partnership with the opposition. The partnership however, comes after election.

When one party emerges winner then the ruling party can form partnership with other parties with representation in the parliament so that different government documents, including bills and government budgets are endorsed.

Q: The just ended party election saw a number of children of prominent politicians taking up elective posts.

What is the meaning of this? Do not you see the danger of introducing the dynasty system in the party?

A: No. Those who won were elected by the members in an open market system. If they would have been appointed by the parents then that would have been a problem.

But this was an election and they emerged winners in heavily contested elections. To me I see it in a different way.

I think it is healthy because these children are following the footsteps of their parents.

Q: Are you satisfied with the existing relationship between CCM and other political parties?

A: During my speech to give vote of thanks to the delegates of the national congress I said relationship between CCM and opposition parties should be two areas.

First is that during elections all parties compete to win elections.

But we should all as political parties agree to carry on peaceful campaigns. Campaigns that will not embarrass other parties.

The second area is after election. After the results are announced and the winner is known then all political parties should work together to build the nation.

We should build the culture of tolerance. My main task would be to build that culture, the culture of tolerance among the parties.

Q: We are seeing more businessmen joining politics. Do you think they are really politicians or enter into politics as a cover up?

A: The fact that they are Tanzanians I do not see any problem with them joining politics. After all CCM is open to all Tanzanians.

Our party does not discriminated against people basing on their races, religious affiliation or ones occupation. Everybody has the right to elect and be elected.

This is a constitutional right and CCM respects the constitution. It is good that the business community also is represented in our party.

Before independence TANU was exclusively for black people.

However, after independence we had to amend the TANU constitution to allow all Tanzanians regardless of the colour to join the party.

Q: Some people are complaining that there is too much chief whipping in parliament and that what CCM MPs are doing in parliament is to safeguard party interest and not public interest.

A: That is not true. Who is 100 per cent sure that whatever opposition raises in parliament is for public interest and not for political interest?

Normally the opposition would try to discredit the sitting government on everything it does.

It is therefore upon CCM to defend itself against opposition`s political interest otherwise the party will become unpopular.

• SOURCE: Guardian