Peoples’ Party (PP) President, Joyce Banda, is said to be planning to pair up with Minister of Industry and Trade, Sosten Gwengwe, as running mate in the May tripartite elections.

According to sources, President Banda is not yet properly decided on who to pick as a running mate for the race and now with the choice that the Democratoic Progressive Party (DPP) have made of Saulos Chilima who seems to have a youthful appeal then she might as well settle for the youthful Gwengwe.

Over the weekend, reports were rife that President Banda has just decided to settle for the current Vice President, Khumbo Kachali, as her running mate but those reports are suddenly diminishing.

President Banda has so far played the card closest to her chest by not revealing her running mate and keeping people in the world of guesses with some even suggesting the name of Uladi Mussa as a running mate to the state President.

However, reports have indicated further that the current Vice President has hinted of a defection if not considered for the post of running mate and, thereby, piling up pressure on the Peoples’ Party leader.

Critics, however, have said that Kachali appears to be at a disadvantage owing to the mistakes he made in the early days of ascending into office.