MOVEMENT for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) treasurer Suresh Desai has maintained that the recent workshop at Andrews Motel in Lusaka had the full blessings of the party secretariat.

Mr Desai also refuted assertions that the party's planning workshop discussed the Litunga and the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE).

In a statement released in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Desai said that he was in fact the convener of the workshop and not Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika as has been reported.

"I want to stress very strongly that at no time did the workshop deliberate on the BRE, his Royal Highness the Litunga, or specific personalities like former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa, Peter Magande and Dickson Jere," Mr Desai said.

He said the MMD national secretary, Katele Kalumba was aware of the workshop and personally agreed that it should go ahead and wondered why Dr Kalumba could now claim that the meeting was held without his knowledge.

Mr Desai further said that President Banda was aware of the workshop and gave it a go ahead.

MMD deputy national secretary, Jeff Kaande also claimed in the media that the workshop was held without his knowledge but Mr Desai insisted that he had also informed him prior to the meeting.

Mr Desai said it was unfortunate that both Dr Kalumba and Mr Kande could through the public media, say that the workshop was held without their knowledge.

Mr Desai said that the workshop produced two reports both of which would be presented to party President Rupiah Banda and the National Executive Committee (NEC) for consideration.

Mr Desai said that the party was enjoying a good relationship with the BRE and the support of the people of Western Province.

On the dissolution of the MMD provincial committee for Western Province, he said dissolutions had in the past occurred.