United party for National Development (UPND) vice-spokesperson for politics Patrick Mucheleka says opposition political parties which have shunned the UPND alliance will be lonely during the campaign period as the electorate is interested only in the coalition.

In an interview, Tuesday, Mucheleka said the alliance was strong enough to have a significant impact on the electorate during campaigns.

“People are watching and they don’t have time to start talking about individuals because we don’t have that time. So, this alliance is enough. We are content with what we have in it but of course those who intend to join are welcome. And to be sincere, those who have decided to walk away from the alliance will walk away alone. This is a strong alliance, the parties that are in it are strong political parties,” he said.

“And we mean it when we say those who have shunned the party will walk alone, just look at what happened in Luanshya where our friend decided to walk away from the alliance, there is division there now. Even those who were very close to him have decided to move away from him. That is exactly what will happen to all those who have decided to walk away from the alliance. They will be lonely during the campaign period and that is just how it will be for them because this alliance is the answer to the plight of the people of Zambia. This is what Zambians wanted to see.”

He said the UPND had risen to respond to the call from the people.

“UPND alliance is the response to the calls that the people of Zambia have made and been making directly. They are asking the UPND alliance to come and respond to the economic challenges that the people of Zambia are facing. It’s not just a question of removing the PF but the people of Zambia are looking to HH to come and respond to their challenges. And that is the issue we have been looking at even during the formulation of the alliance. We are looking at the bigger picture, if we are going to be spending a lot of time looking at how Chishimba Kambwili wants to go back to the PF, then we will miss the point,” he said.

“The point is this alliance is going to have a huge impact on the electorates because we have found equal partners. Everyone is looking for effective change, positive change and that’s exactly what we are bringing in the alliance. Of course, it matters who is in the alliance. We were looking for people who are going to bring credibility to the alliance and those who have decided to walk away because of personal issues, personal greed, personal ego, it’s all up to you.”