Masisi whips
sition MPs have marshaled competition against their colleagues on the other side of the aisle, something which observers say is exposing the ruling party.
It is alleged that the MPs are not happy that the ministers are always not willing to share information with the back bench but when the opposition turns the tables the entire BDP bloc is ridiculed and gets left with an egg on the face.
“We have wanted the ministers to at least share information that could be of use for both of us. We are not saying we need secrets from cabinet but just to be appraised on some opertinent issues so that we would have light or guidance on how to approach ministerial
issues as a collective. At the end of the day even if we are backbench, we all serve the same purpose to advance BDP policies,” revealed some of the MPs engaged on the matter.
Botswana Guardian has established that this week that Minister of Investment Trade and Industry, Peggy Serame briefed the parliamentary caucus meeting on Tuesday about her ministry operations and structures. This is said to be one of the lined-up appraisals to be made by ministers following the engagement between Masisi and the party’s backbench.
Some members of the backbench are also said to be unhappy that some of their colleagues uses the cabinet position to look down on them “but we are all honourable members of parliament.
“We are both serving Batswana and it is important to also have correct information to share with the people. As the backbench we cannot tolerate ‘big headed ministers’.
It is alleged that at some point the backbench had devised a plan to ask questions in Parliament that would expose the ministers. Government Whip Liakat Kably confirmed that President Masisi had promised to call the ministers to order.
He said he remains hopeful that the ministers would come to the party “and realise that we have to work together as a bloc.”
He said it is not that they have anything against the ministers. According to him even though Serame was the first one to brief them, the minister has always been far ahead of others.
“That one has been always taking us onboard. She has been outstanding and we now understand her ministry better. Even the Tuesday meeting we were all satisified and hope she will continue to do that great job.
“We are looking forward to others to appraise us. We cannot have the opposition having a field day in Parliament and as backbench remain hopeless because we are not equipped to come to the rescue of our colleagues,” Kably said.