Youths Concerns Network (YCN), a grouping of Malawian youths, has warned that it may drag the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to court if the party monopolizes all parliamentary committees’ posts when Members of Parliament meet on June 22.

The DPP, which is assured of the Speaker’s, and deputies’, position has indicated that it will field people in all parliamentary committee positions, a development that could translate into lack of proper checks and balances.

The party’s second deputy president, Khumbo Kachali, says DPP saw no reason why it should not fields party officials in parliamentary positions, adding that, in democracy, it is the majority that rules.

This has riled the Malawi Congress Party ,whose Director of Research, Lington Belekanyama,  spoke against DPP’s intention while his United Democratic Front counterpart- Spokesperson (UDF) Rob Jamieson- said the party only prayed for fairness from the DPP.

Responding to Kachali’s sentiments,  YCN National Coordinator Emmanuel Mtambalika said his organization would not take DPP’s decision to feature in all positions lightly, and threatened to drag the party to court.

“Where is democracy without the opposition? We are ready to take the party to court if it grabs the positions of Public Appointments Committee and Budget and Finance chairperson. These are crucial positions because they enhance checks and balances and (it) would be unfair for the DPP to take all of them,” said Mtambalika.

But Kachali has reiterated his earlier statement, saying the party would still try its luck.

“It doesn’t mean that, if the DPP says we will feature people in these positions, it will carry the day. Anything may happen because it is people who vote. But we will feature people,” said Kachali.