Mutharika is aspirant for ruling DPP in the Thyolo East Constituency.
 Random interviews conducted by Nyasa Times in the area established that Mutharika is facing a stiff contest from one Rodrick White who was forced to pull out of scheduled DPP primary elections to pave way for the Presidential Advisor on Constitutional affairs.
The second most powerful citizen gave T/A Chimaliro about 5,000 coupons to be shared among his chiefs and their subjects.
When asked by Nyasa Times, Chimaliro sounding nervous admitted to have received the coupons from Mutharika through his campaign director, a Mlumbe, but denied that they were meant to woo support for the President’s brother.
I have received the coupons, so what is wrong with that? Peter Mutharika is a son from this area, said TA Chimaliro.Â
But the Campaign Director, Mlumbe denied to have given Chimaliro the coupons.Â
He however contradicted himself by saying that there was nothing criminal in giving out the coupons to the chiefs, claiming that they represent the poor masses who are targeted beneficiaries.
Our efforts to talk to Mutharika drew a blank. His phone was switched off.
Speaking during the inauguration of the 20008 National Tree Planting Programme, President Mutharika admitted that the distribution exercise of the coupons has failed miserably.Â
He blamed his cabinet ministers for the failure of the exercise.
Nyasa Times