Paul Nyathi|Perennially defiant MDC Masvingo Provincial Chairman James Gumbi has expressed unwillingness to host a party President Nelson Chamisa rally in the province during congress preparation period.

MDC members in Masvingo told ZimEye.com that told the party’s Provincial Assembly on Wednesday that he was against the rally.

“Why should the party give me a date for a thank you rally when the congress is upon us? I will personally weigh the advantages and disadvantages of having the rally,” Gumbo told the assembly.

“It’s only me who has the right to decide if we will have that rally or not. We want to campaign for congress not waste resources on a thank you rally,” Gumbi is alleged to have said raising a major protest against the idea by party members.

National executive member, Takanayi Mureyi, is said to have calmed the disgruntled members before explaining that Gumbi had not rejected the rally but was only making a suggestion in the meeting.

“The chairman did not say he does not want the rally but he was just suggesting on the merits and demerits of having the rally before the congress.

“There was really nothing sinister about it but you know the chairman talks firm so many people could have misquoted him.