Hukuntsi — The Botswana National Front (BNF) candidate who lost the Kgalagadi North by-elections over the weekend has said the factional wrangling in the party has cost him the opportunity of going to Parliament.

Phillip Khwae said this when he addressed BNF supporters after the results were counted at the Hukuntsi Sub-district.

Khwae told his supporters that they went into the by-elections with a lot of problems in the party. "There is a problem in the central committee, lack of cooperation in the regional and branch committees, the wards too have some problems. Tribalism has also dogged this constituency,"Khwae told his supporters.

He said these problems impacted negatively in his endeavour to win a parliamentary ticket, which was won by Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Victor Motobake by 3,121 against 2,971.

According to Khwae the BNF had done very well in the settlements as they spent sleepless nights canvassing for their support and "I think BDP capitalized in the villages, not settlements."

According to Khwae this strategy seemed to have backfired because by putting their efforts in settlements, which have all along been the BDP's bastion of support they might have neglected the villages thinking they were assured of support in the villages. He pleaded with BNF members who did not vote as a result of their differences to come back and reconcile to prepare for the 2009 general elections.

"Please come and shake hands and regroup ourself towards 2009," Although he lost he said he was confident that they will pull through in 2009 elections.

The BNF team said they accept the results.