CCM is divided like KANU before 2010 election ?

Kikwete found it extremely surprising that there were people from the same party who did not see eye to eye and could not sit together for a cup of tea

The national chairman of the ruling CCM, President Jakaya Kikwete, on Monday laughed off suggestions that there was a major rift in the party.

However, he said it was true that some Members of Parliament representing CCM were deeply divided.

The president made the remarks during talks he held here with the party’s leaders in Mara Region, saying: “There is no rift within CCM ranks as such be it in Mara, Mwanza, Tanga, Singida regions or anywhere else in the country. The rifts we keep hearing about exist only in newspapers and in the National Assembly.”

He meanwhile declared that there would be no protection for anyone confirmed to be involved in corruption practices, quickly adding: “But people’s feelings or perceptions will lead to punishment only in respect of suspects proved guilty”.

“The truth of the matter is that antagonistic sentiments have been flaring among our (CCM) legislators, but the differences of opinion usually vanish into thin air the moment the MPs walk out of the House,” explained President Kikwete.

He said sometimes even ruling party legislators get overly aggressive when commenting on perceived shortcomings in the (CCM) government.

“I myself served as a legislator for a whole twenty years but never once witnessed such an odd spectacle. But there is no rift in the party, be in Musoma or Bagamoyo or any other part of the country,” he maintained.

The president said he found it extremely surprising that there were people from the same party who did not see eye to eye and could not sit together for a cup of tea.

However, on a more optimistic note, he said he was sure the differences would soon be resolved amicably “with the help of the panel of wise men chaired by former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi”.

The panel was appointed recently to devise ways to end drawn-out verbal confrontations among CCM legislators during National Assembly sessions, where all are supposed to speak with one voice particularly on sensitive or crucial issues with a direct bearing on the party’s fortunes.

Commenting on the ongoing war against corruption, the president stated that it was the duty of CCM leaders at all levels to tell wananchi the truth about the seriousness of the government in tackling the vice.

He said that should include underscoring the fact some former high-ranking government officials had appeared in court in connection with corruption charges.

“The government will not spare anyone facing corruption and other criminal charges so long as there was enough credible incriminating evidence,” the president noted.

But he clarified: “No suspects would be prosecuted simply to please individuals with vendettas or grudges against them. We must abide by the principles of good governance.”

President Kikwete also threw in a word on the civic elections slated for this October 25, calling on CCM leaders across the country “to move ahead boldly with campaigns because our party has kept most of its 2005 Election Manifesto promises and is sure to accomplish more in the years ahead”.