Recent developments in the political arena have shown that disgruntled ANC members want to form a breakaway party.

Recent developments in the political arena have shown that disgruntled ANC members want to form a breakaway party.

The disgruntled, including former ANC national chairman Mosiuoa Lekota and former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa, have accused the new ANC leadership of having veered from the principles of the Freedom Charter.

Despite dismissive responses from leaders of the ANC, SACP and Cosatu alliance about the prospects of such a breakaway party, Sowetan readers think that such a party could give the ruling party a run for its money.

In an opinion poll run on Sowetan's website readers were asked the question: "Do you think a breakaway party would stand a chance against the ANC in next year's elections?"

Of the 5642 readers who voted, the majority (59,77percent) thought such a party could successfully challenge the ANC in the coming general election - with 40,23 percent thinking that such an initiative had no chance against the ruling party.

An SMS message and telephone poll asked readers whether they would vote for Lekota or ANC leader Jacob Zuma if both were to lead a political party next year.

In this instance 2515 voters responded and 40,55percent indicated that they would vote for Lekota - with 43,70percent going for Zuma. And 15,75percent of the votes were spoilt - Sowetan reporter.