By CHILA NAMAIKO –
THE Patriotic Front (PF) is headed for a landslide victory in the August general elections once the alliance with the MMD is formed, former deputy secretary to the Cabinet, David Diangamo has predicted.
Mr Diangamo, a member of the MMD, described the planned partnership between the two parties as vibrant.
Mr Diangamo, a losing candidate in the 2011 elections when he contested the Itezhi-Tezhi seat on the MMD ticket, said the PF should ensure it was in an alliance with a strong and united MMD, not one facing
intra-party squabbles.
He said in an interview yesterday that there was nothing sinister about forming alliances as it was a good political gesture which needed to be supported by members of different parties.
Mr Diangamo said political alliances were important and that the PF, through President Edgar Lungu, could amass more support ahead of the polls.
“Forming an alliance is a good and welcome idea. Both parties like MMD and PF can work together and agree in some political areas.
“But I also think there is need to ensure the ruling party goes with a strong and united  MMD so that there is added value in such an alliance,” Mr Diangamo said.
The proposed MMD and PF alliance had been widely welcomed by various stakeholders, as it would help build a strong foundation for President Lungu to mount support.
Mr Diangamo was confident that once the MMD was rebranded, the alliance would subsequently enable PF amass more electoral support.
He welcomed the alliance, stating that the former ruling party (MMD) needed to settle for a partnership with another stronger political party.
The PF has extended a hand to the MMD with a view of the two parties working together ahead of the August polls.
President Lungu asked PF members to embrace new ones in order for the party to manage to win by the required margin of the 50 per cent-plus-one threshold to avoid a re-run.
Mr Lungu said currently, Zambia did not deserve a re-run and that there was need for the people to vote in masses for the PF to avoid committing the country to a second election.
MMD leader Nevers Mumba has also welcomed the idea of an alliance and is looking forward to working with the PF and that he has been in constant communication with President Lungu on the matter.
Dr Mumba and former President Rupiah Banda have since reconciled, creating a cordial atmosphere for the political alliance.