Two former IFP MPLs say they left the party because of its obsession with a confrontational and destructive style of opposition politics.
|||Durban - Two former IFP MPLs who have joined the rival ANC, said they left the party after becoming frustrated with its obsession with a confrontational and destructive style of opposition politics.
Roman Liptak, who resigned his position as the IFP representative in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature earlier this month, said during his time as a member of the IFP caucus he had tried without success to advocate for a more constructive approach to opposition.
The IFP is a “hangover from apartheid” and it belonged in the past, he said.
“I did my best to steer the party towards issues of substance through the speeches I drafted for senior IFP leaders, but the IFP would rather fire cheap shots at the ANC,” said Liptak on Tuesday, shortly after it was announced that he had become an ANC member.
Another former IFP MPL, Usha Roopnarain, said she had left the IFP because she felt she could not sink into a political wilderness where virtues like honesty were not valued.
“I want to be part of a legacy that builds rather than breaks down. I want to be part of the ANC,” she said.
The IFP said the defection of the two members to the ANC while sad, was not surprising.
It said the two members were disgruntled as they had been removed from their positions in the legislature.
“As previously stated, we are currently assembling our A-team to take on the 2014 election, and those who do not make the cut would naturally feel aggrieved,” said the party.
The IFP said both Liptak and Roopnarain had been recalled from their positions.
The IFP has also alleged that some of its members were being lured into the ANC with the promise of jobs in the government.
The ANC and the defectors dismissed this allegation as lies.
The ANC said the two members would be given tasks in the organisation in line with its constitution, which needs new members to serve a minimum of two years as an ordinary member before they can be elected to any leadership position at branch level, while they have to serve at least seven years to qualify for positions in the provincial executive committee.
ANC provincial chairman Senzo Mchunu said that having observed Roopnarain and Liptak during debates at the legislature, he was positive that they would bring “substance” to the ANC.
“Let’s face it, politics is about numbers, and if you have substance, it becomes a bonus. For us it’s a question of growing both,” he said.
bheki.mbanjwa@inl.co.za
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