HARARE - The leader of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Arthur Mutambara has refused to be drawn into discussing his future in the party following interest from his deputy Welshman Ncube, who has publicly stated his desire to contest him for the post.

Mutambara’s MDC is poised to hold its elective congress in 2011 to choose new leadership.

But Mutambara, who is the Deputy Prime Minister in the inclusive government, refused to comment on his future in the party he led following its split from the main faction led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

“I am interested in taking this country forward. Any discussion that I can have with you, would be on what we are doing to make Zimbabwe globally competitive. I have no time for petty partisan issues,” Mutambara said.

The robotics Professor said he was unfazed by reports continuously linking Ncube to his job in the party because Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and the inclusive government were his priorities.

Mutambara led the other faction of the MDC following its split from Tsvangirai’s party in 2005 after sharp differences emerged on the formation’s decision not to participate in the senatorial elections.

Ncube, who is the party’s secretary general, has said he will contest for the presidency.

The ambitious MDC faction leader is no longer eligible for re-election to his current position but has said he would offer himself for the party’s top job.

“Congress will sit and in its wisdom can decide where to deploy people. Remember in the last congress, it was decided to get Mutambara who was not even in the party’s national executive to come and lead. That could happen.

“What I’m really pointing out is that leadership positions will be decided at congress. As for the specific question on my attitude towards the issue, my answer is simply that I am available in the same manner as all the other members of the national executive for re-deployment to any other position, be it president or deputy secretary-general and whatever congress sees fit,’’ Ncube recently told a Zimbabwean website in an interview.

Ncube, treasurer-general Fletcher Dulini Ncube and Vice-president Gibson Sibanda have served their full terms.

However, national chairman Joubert Mudzumwe, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Mutambara, are eligible for re-election

By Daily News