Billy Ntaote
All Basotho Convention (ABC) leader, Thomas Thabane, will hold a star rally in Abia today to thank Basotho for their support in last month’s parliamentary elections.
The ABC won 40 of the 80 constituencies being contested, followed by the Democratic Congress (DC), Lesotho Congress (LCD) and Basotho National Party (BNP) with 37, two and one, respectively.
However, Dr Thabane failed to garner the 61-plus seats he needed to retain the premiership following the disbursement of 40 Proportional Representation (PR) seats. Because of this failure, Dr Thabane is stepping down as premier on Tuesday this week, with DC leader Pakalitha Mosisili—whose party formed an alliance with the LCD, Popular Front for Democracy, Marematlou Freedom Party, National Independent Party, Basotho Congress Party and Lesotho People’s Congress to have a total of 65 seats—succeeding him.
But according to ABC chairperson Motlohi Maliehe, the party had realised “phenomenal growth” since its formation in 2006 as it won 17 constituencies in 2007, 26 in 2012 and 40 this year, hence the need to thank the electorate.
“We are not a party that only comes to life during an election but always active as an organisation. Dr Thabane will start the thank-you rallies in his home constituency of Abia on Sunday. This is going to be district or star rally, while I will also be leading another big rally in Butha-Buthe, also on Sunday.
“The Abia rally starts at midday, and the party leadership is expected to come to Butha-Buthe once it’s over,” said Maliehe.
Mr Maliehe added the two rallies would mark the beginning of the party’s campaign for the 2020 general election.
“We are kick-starting our countrywide campaigns with these rallies as we realise that we need to prepare for the next elections,” said Maliehe.
Lesotho held an early election on 28 February after the Thabane-led government collapsed due to a vicious power-struggle between the premier and his deputy, LCD leader Mothetjoa Metsing.