NDC ACCUSES NNP OF 'DESPERATE TACTICS'

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is complaining about some of the strategies being used by the ruling New National Party (NNP) of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell as campaigning heats up for the island's next general elections.

A spokesman for the congress party told GRENADA TODAY that the ruling party is handing out large amounts of food hampers to certain rural villagers in the countryside in order to woo voters to its camp. He said the NDC sent a team of campaign workers to engage in house-to-house campaign in the Callallo  area of St. Patrick's East last week and this apparently angered the ruling party. He stated that the next day the NNP dispatched some of its personnel to the village with large amounts of food hampers to hand out to villagers.

"We see this as a clear attempt by the NNP to  do anything to remain in power. They are clearly getting frightened by us and resorting to desperate tactics", he said. According to the NDC official, the practice is for political parties and civic-minded organisations like the Rotary and Lions to use the Christmas holiday period to distribute food hampers to the poor.

"This is not something that  is done  in the country at this time of the year. This is highly unusual and one can safely say that the NNP is resorting to all kinds of tricks to stay in power", he remarked. Minister of Sports and Culture, Adrian "Spaceman" Mitchell hold the rural St. Patrick's East seat.

The NDC is putting up its political leader, barrister-at-law, Tillman Thomas to challenge the incumbent for the constituency, which has been in the hands of the NNP for the past eight years. The party held its annual convention on January  26 at River Salle in the heart of the St. Patrick's constituency in order to give a boost to Thomas in the upcoming general election.

Although Prime Minister Mitchell has until the middle of next year to remain in office, some political analysts  expect  him to call  elections between April to June.