The Basotho National Party (BNP) has expressed deep concern about the Prime Minister's comments made during the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD)'s general conference on the BNP's invitation to form a government of national unity.

The issue also involved the implementation of democratic electoral structures approved by the defunct Independent Political Authority (IPA). In his speech, the Prime Minister had told the conference that he had received a document from the BNP, which talked about the government of national unity.

The Prime Minister, referred to the suggestion as a dream, which he said, he had views on it, but decided to inform the conference about it so that it could share with him the surprise, and direct him how he should go about it. "I am really flabbergasted by the boldness of the BNP to dream of  itself as part of the LCD government, and to raise IPA from its death", the Prime Minister further said. He had also pointed out that the LCD has been mandated by the nation to govern Lesotho and they cannot give that away.

On the other hand, the BNP leader, Major General Metsing Lekhanya in a press statement recently released indicated that it is unfortunate for the Prime Minister to chose to reject the BNP's proposal for a government of national unity at the conference in public without first communicating with BNP about his rejection. He added that they regard the Prime Minister's views and statements as regrettable and "most unfortunate". He stated that the BNP rejects the Prime Minister's contention that the Basotho nation has given the LCD the mandate to govern Lesotho. He added that this statement is untrue, objected to and misleading.

The press statement asserts that the BNP did not insist on an equal participation in government, but it requested only three cabinet positions: two ministers and one deputy minister to give effect to and monitor the IPA approved structures as set out in the settlement agreement in a government of national unity. The BNP is also said to endeavor to continue under the circumstance to fight for the reinstatement of the structures.

05 January 2003