And UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said Vice-President Rupiah Banda does not represent president Levy Mwanawasa's vision and values at all.

Commenting on Sata's call for an indaba between PF and UPND to have a collective agreement on the way forward to defeat the MMD government, UPND vice-president Richard Kapita yesterday said his party was open to such progressive ideas from all well meaning Zambians and political parties.

Kapita said UPND was sharing a common ground with PF because both parties did not agree with some of the policies of the MMD government. He said now that Sata had spoken out on the possibility of getting into a political agreement with UPND, the party would wait to be formally informed.

"But before that, we want to ask president Sata if what has been attributed to him in The Post today yesterday in relation to the formation of a political force or agreement is true and if he still stands by that; and if that is the case, to form a big force and kick MMD out of government, then we will chart the way forward. Mr Sata's idea is very good and we welcome it. We will look at ways of working together to defeat this government which has caused so much harm and poverty to the majority poor Zambians," Kapita said.

However, Kapita said the UPND would continue with its campaigns. "Right now, what Mr. Sata has said is being treated like any other statements until we sit and agree on the way forward. But as UPND, we are on course and we will continue with our campaign programmes of selling the party and our president Mr Hichilema," he said.

He said the party was not scared of MMD presidential candidate Vice-President Banda.

Kapita said Sata had rightly observed that Vice-President Banda's leadership was questionable as evidenced by the calibre of politicians that were supporting him.

"First, this is the man who approved the unprecedented huge salary increments for his ministers. All the Bills went through Parliament unopposed and what is remaining now is only his endorsement.

UPND and PF stood for the people of Zambia by condemning these abnormal increments which have been at the expense of the majority poor voters from whom Mr Rupiah and the government team are now seeking votes," Kapita said.

"Mr. Rupiah's camp, his ministers and the entire MMD called us all sorts of names. They used deceitful means to justify their selfish interests. I think the people of Zambia are mature enough and will never be deceived any longer. Zambians have nothing but to remove this selfish government out of power."

Kapita warned Vice-President Banda and the MMD that once UPND or PF formed government, the three Bills which sought to increase the salary and allowances for constitutional office holders and senior government officials would be thrown out.

Kapita said Vice-President Banda did not command the trust from Zambians because the people surrounding him had questionable motives. He said UPND would ensure that the fight against corruption was doubled once they formed government.

"We know the motives behind Vernon Mwaanga, behind Lieutenant General Christon Tembo, Mbita Chitala and many other old politicians surrounding Mr Rupiah Banda. We know what they want; we know what they are looking for. But I can assure them that they won't find it easy this time around," said Kapita.