Harry Mkandawire, secretary general of the People's Development Movement (PDM) and his district governor for Mzimba, Malunga Zgobvu , have dumped the party and joined People's Party headed by Vice President Joyce Banda.

The two announced their defection during a mass rally which PP held at Mzimba Boma.

"PDM has been looking for a national leader who could take its affairs at national level. And after doing a thorough window shopping, I have found that it is Joyce Banda who can chase DPP out of government in 2014," said Mkandawire.

Reacting to Mkandawire and Zgobvu's defection, PDM spokesperson Msenga Mulungu said the two had made their own personal choice.

"I will make a concrete response later but what I can say now is that they have made their own personal choice," said Mulungu.

Vice president Joyce Banda claimed PP has hit a record 2.2 million registered and verified membership since its birth six months ago.

She said Mkandawire was a big catch and would be given a position in the national executive committee since all positions are currently interim.

But Mkandawire said was happy as an ordinary member and was not ambitious for any top position.

"We are working with a lot of DPP parliamentarians and people should expect more defections to our party soon," said Banda.

"People have lost trust in the current government and want a change for the better and PP will eradicate poverty if voted into power in 2014," she said.

Banda also challenged that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cannot use majority in parliament to impeach her, saying she was employed by voters to be Vice President and not the DPP government.

"I am not insulting government by saying that and I am not afraid to be arrested but that's the reality," she said.