BDP to face mass defections if a new political party is formed

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is likely to be rocked by mass defections arising from excitement and leadership preference if a new political party that is rumoured to be in the offing can become a reality, says political analyst Ndulamo Morima. Morima explained that due to excitement, those who have been harbouring intentions to defect from BDP but not willing to join the opposition under BMD will most likely do so.

Apart from excitement, he said some members will defect to the new party for purely leadership choice decisions. He cautioned that in the event a new political party is formed it will be very suicidal for it not to affiliate with Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) which has become a symbol of hope for Batswana. “Gaolatlhe is a very smart leader who knows the importance of the UDC regarding the change of regime in the country and I don’t see him abandoning the UDC idea to head it all alone to the 2019 general election,” Morima said.

A BDP MP who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation disclosed that once the idea of a new party materialises, a good number of BDP members who did not support Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi during the past party congress will most likely defect to vent their anger at the party which he accused of having bribed poor members to be elected into office. “Most of those who supported Molefhi will face a witch-hunt at BDP and joining a new political party which is also an offspring of BDP will add the cherry on top to further diminish BDP’s prospects of winning the coming national election. Those who canvased support on behalf of Barata Party holding high positions are most likely to be replaced by those who supported Botswana’s next president.