“Any independent member of parliament should do that (work with NRM). There is no reason why I should not work with the sitting government, ” he said while speaking at a local radio show on Saturday.
Of the 557 members of parliament in the 11th August House, 73 are independents.
“You either do one thing: you talk to them or talk at them, ” he said.
He said while others have decided to “talk at them (oppose NRM)”, he has chosen “to talk to them” (work with them).
However, Katuntu denied that he and Bardege-Layibi Division MP Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (also of FDC) had officially joined (NRM), are now members of party after relinquishing their Opposition membership.
He confirmed, however, that since the start of the 2021-2026 political term, the “government talks to me about some of their positions.”
“Sometimes they request me to vote for their position, ” he said, but hastened that he is not a member of NRM.
“Even the law bars it, and you cannot officially join the other party before six months to the end of the term except if you are ready to lose your seat.
“There was nothing like membership but agreeing and talking to NRM. That is what is true.
“If you are a beautiful girl in the village, everyone would love to have you, and you cannot apologize because you are beautiful, ” he said.
He said he is appreciative to the NRM for supporting him in Parliament, noting that the position he holds as chairperson of the committee on Rules and Discipline was designated by the NRM and that the other position he holds as a member of the Pan African Parliament also owes to the goodwill of the party towards him.
