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between MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and his Mavambo Kusile Dawn counterpart Dr Simba Makoni. The coalition idea — mooted in the wake of several recent surveys that pointed to a Zanu-PF victory at the polls — was supposed to bring together MDC-T, MKD, MDC, Zapu and Zanu-Ndonga, but Professor Welshman Ncube’s cold shoulder dealt the alliance a deathly blow given that he is the only one with a constituency to talk about as none of the other three partners had a representative in Parliament in the last election.
Both MDC-T and MKD want their leaders to lead the coalition.
The haggling over a single presidential candidate intensified ahead of the sitting of the Nomination Court today, with Dr Makoni holding a media briefing at the Media Centre in Harare yesterday to try to force Mr Tsvangirai’s hand.
However, sources close to the developments said the fact that Mr Makoni appeared at the briefing alone, following a prior media event by Zapu leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, showed that the grand coalition had failed to coalesce.
Dr Makoni said his party took a decision on Tuesday not to field a presidential candidate to pave way for an agreement on a single presidential candidate.
“I am happy to advise the nation that the national management committee of the MKD resolved, on Tuesday June 25 2013, not to field a presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections. We took the decision in order to pave the way for agreement on a single presidential candidate for all those yearning for change in national leadership at the highest level.
“I also take this opportunity to advise that we are committed to a similar approach in respect of candidates for election into local authorities, provincial councils, House of Assembly and Senate.
“We will apply our minds and capacities to getting similar commitment from others.”
But, responding to questions from journalists, Dr Makoni indicated that the “MKD prefers Simba Makoni”.
He admitted that coming up with a grand coalition was not an easy task.
“It is a complex issue. There are many considerations to accommodate. Many parties had prepared to contest alone,” Dr Makoni said.
He was adamant the grand coalition dream “is still feasible” but underscored the need for political parties involved to “inject impetus and urgency into the search for single candidate”.
“I am sure we will make it on time. I am convinced that other leaders who are genuinely committed to national interest will rise to the challenge. I am fully committed and so is our party to back one candidate agreed by the grand coalition. We are in constant meetings,” Dr Makoni said.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora confirmed disagreements existed over the grand coalition’s choice of presidential candidate saying while the MDC-T valued working with all political parties irrespective of their size; it was not debatable that Mr Tsvangirai must be the coalition’s presidential candidate.
“Our choice is Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. There is absolutely no doubt about that. It is not debatable,” Mr Mwonzora said.
He expressed confidence that before the nomination day, the grand coalition would have resolved differences.
“Tomorrow (nomination day) is not too late. It is a long time between today and tomorrow,” Mr Mwonzora said.
However a source close to developments at Harvest House said Mr Tsvangirai was grasping at straws as there was no buy in to his coalition idea within the party.
‘’ Save (Tsvangirai) is grasping at straws. his leadership is being questioned in the grand coalition, and he has no support from us amid concerns by our legal side that Simba Makoni would create havoc the same way he created havoc in Zanu-PF in 2008.’’
The source said the coalition idea involved staff in Tsvangirai’s Prime Ministerial office, particularly Mr Jameson Timba and Dr Alex Magaisa, Mr Tsvangirai’s political advisor.
‘’There is a ruckus between the lawyers in the sense that (party secretary general Mr Tendai) Biti views the decision by Magaisa to work with Timba as an attempt to create an alternative power point.’’
The source said the Constitutional Court application filed by Mr Tsvangirai, had Dr Magaisa and Mr Timba running ahead of the party’s legal department. The two are also said to have drafted the presentation made by Mr Tsvangirai at the Sadc Summit in Maputo.
‘’This view that Timba and Magaisa are creating an alternative power point explains why Ian Makone is leaving the civil service for politics, at a time the succession issue is also hotting up in the party.
‘’Infact there is greater wish for the failure of the grand coalition in MDC-T than within Zanu-PF. As we speak Magaisa is putting up a document to lobby US president Barack Obama when he touches down in South Africa,’’ the source said.
Mr Tsvangirai, Dr Dabengwa, Dr Makoni and Mr Reketayi Semwayo of Zanu Ndonga met on Wednesday afternoon at Amanzi Restaurant along Enterprise Road but conspicuous by his absence was MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube who did not even send a representative.
This prompted the quartet to reschedule the meeting for later that afternoon in the hope that Professor Ncube would pitch up but again he was a no show and did not offer any reason for his absence.
Dr Dabengwa was tasked after both meetings to convince Prof Ncube to join the grand coalition before the question of leadership became the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Sources close to developments said by end of day yesterday, Dr Makoni was said to have been mellowing to the idea of being a deputy in the proposed coalition.
Online Reporter