Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chief whip in Parliament Liakat Kablay has cautioned his fellow Members of Parliament (MPs) against taking any chances of voting in favour of a motion seeking to remove President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
This comes after Leader of Opposition Dumelang Saleshando filed a motion of no confidence against Masisi.
The motion has since been deferred due to Saleshando’s absence on official trip to Nigeria. Kablay warned BDP MP’s saying that voting with opposition automatically places a motion of no confidence against themselves as they are also part of the ruling party.
He stated that they recently summoned all party MP’s to a caucus meeting warning them against voting with Saleshando.
“We used to have party MP’s who would vote with opposition on critical matters. In most cases defying party caucus, but I want to believe that most were new in Parliament, they have learnt a lesson. Anyone who has a problem with the President is always advised to come out so that we can resolve their issues, so in this case BDP MPs now know what they should when a motion from opposition comes to the Parliament floor,” said Kablay.
Kablay indicated that whoever votes with Saleshando will face the wrath of the party constitution, adding that they will be vetted out in the next party primary elections.
He continued to state that they will be targeting any party MP seeking to assist opposition in discrediting the BDP led government.
“We are used to opposition antics, unfortunately some BDP MP’s have fallen to their trap but their motions failed to see the light of the day,”
“Party constitution is clear and BDP MP’s know the results of voting with opposition on such matters,” added Kablay.
For his part, political science lecturer at the Kealeboga Dipogiso said the motion is not happening for the first time, adding that each time it was tabled, it has yielded partisan vote.
“So historically, BDP members have voted against the motion to preserve their incumbency as an affirmative vote throws them out of power,” he said.
“Remember, the premise of this motion is to hold fresh elections. Our Parliament is a majoritarian one. Voting patterns have always suggested a partisan majority prevalence. So, BDP interests always suffice in major Parliamentary output,” said Dipogiso.
He stated that if adopted, the first implication is to exterminate BDP stay in power and to have fresh elections.
“In my view, it is highly unlikely that members of the ruling party may pass a motion that throws them out of power. But also remember that the motion as tabled by the opposition may not necessarily be aimed to achieve these ends,” added Dipogiso.
