THE Kaonde Cultural National Council (KCNC) has dispelled claims that it has rejected the ruling MMD's parliamentary candidate for Solwezi Central, Albert Chifita.

KCNC patron, Kabinga Pande said in an interview from Solwezi yesterday that claims published in the media that Mr Chifita had been rejected were unfounded.

Yesterday, a story was published claiming that Mr Chifita had been rejected by the KCNC during the elections in which he allegedly stood as deputy national treasurer but lost after polling eight votes against a Mrs Chileshe, who got 26 votes.

But Mr Pande said Mr Chifita's name may just have been floated by someone as the candidate was not even aware of the elections.

"I was with him busy with the campaigns for the forthcoming by-election. I am saying this because I am also the patron of KCNC and at the same time his campaign manager," Mr Pande said.

He said Mr Chifita was a popular candidate among all the candidates contesting the by-election and that insinuations against him in some sections of the media would not deter his team team from concentrating on the campaigns.

"Mr Chifita is a man of the people. He is more popular than any of the candidates here and I think that is the reason why some sections of the media, with intent to portray a negative picture of what is going on here, have resorted to try and tarnish his name," Mr Pande said.

He said the MMD was confident of scooping the seat left vacant by the late Ben Tetamashimba, who was the ruling party's spokesperson and Local Government and Housing minister.

Mr Pande said while other political partes were struggling to explain what they intended to do for the people of Solwezi, the people in the area already knew what the MMD had done for them.