Radio personality, McDonald Chiliboy Rakgare, of Duma FM, has declared his interest to stand for the Mogoditshane parliamentary seat, under the ticket of the Botswana Congress Party.
The BCP is yet to call its primaries in the constituency, to identify its candidate for the 2014 general elections. Rakgare joined the BCP early last year from the ruling BDP, saying the party had lost its democratic principles.
Rakgare says he has already declared his interest to the BCP’s central committee but was of the view that it is premature to say he is eyeing the parliamentary seat.
“I can confirm that I have put my name for consideration for the primary elections for 2014, in Mogoditshane constituency but this is not an application to contest, it is just a form of expressing interest in working with the constituency. Just like any other person I have put my name for consideration, so it is up to the central committee either to reject or accept my view for the constituency,” said Rakgare.
He added that what concerns him most is to see the party growing in Mogoditshane.
“Whether I lose primary elections, in case I stand for it, whoever wins, then I would definitely support that particularly person, because I’m interested in seeing BCP winning the constituency because it is a winnable constituency,” he said.
BCP spokesperson, Taolo Lucas, confirmed that Rakgare will officially be launched on the 19th May in a rally at Mogoditshane.
He said the party has instructed its members to forward their applications to the Director of Elections if they wish to stand for the primary elections.
Lucas said the party is yet to call for its primaries in the constituency, to identify its candidate for the 2014 general elections.
“But I would say Chiliboy is an energetic hard working person and like I have said before, he was vocal at BDP, so we expect a lot from him in making some changes for the party in Mogoditshane,” said Lucas.
If he stands, Rakgare is likely to face Chilly Kgoroba from the Botswana Movement for Democracy and incumbent Member of Parliament, Patrick Masimolole.
