CHIEF Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has said the political atmosphere in the country has tremendously improved from the time the Patriotic Front (PF) took over.

Mr Sakeni said yesterday that the economy had also continued to grow under the PF leadership.

"The Government wishes to assure Zambians that progress is being made in terms of governance and development. Therefore, time for politicking is well behind us," he said in a statement.

The minister took a swipe at five opposition political parties for what he termed meaningless media conferences.

On Wednesday, the MMD, United Party for National Development (UPND), United Liberal Party (ULP), Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD), and Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) held a media briefing at which they denounced the Government.

They also resolved to go ahead with a rally in Mtendere Township in Lusaka tomorrow despite police advising that the notice they lodged did not meet legal requirements.

"It is a pity that the five opposition parties, led by the MMD, have continued congregating at meaningless Press conferences for the sole purpose of whimpering about non-controversial issues," Mr Sakeni said.

He said it was becoming clear that the MMD and its miniature partners were a lost cause grappling for some relevance in the country's political landscape.

"It is laughable that ADD, ULP and ZDDM should even merit a platform to talk on serious national issues.

"The questionZambians may need to ask themselves is whether these three non-entities represent anybody's interests," he said.

The minister charged that the three political parties were personal corners of their leaders without any following.