The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) wants to see the formation of a broad-based national front grouping to take charge of the affairs of Grenada.

The party's General Secretary, barrister-at-law, Peter David made the announcement at a public meeting Sunday night on Melville Street, St. George's.

David told the gathering that the Congress party has come to the conclusion that it alone cannot deal with the massive economic problems facing the country and as such it was prepared to engage the "social partners" in governing the island. He said the party would be holding talks in the upcoming days and weeks with officials representing the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC), Grenada Employers Federation (GEF), Non-governmental Organisations (NGO's), Trade Union Council (TUC), Church groups and other political parties.

Well-placed sources told this newspaper that the Congress party has already started talks with interest groups on developing "a broad front" to tackle the current economic crisis facing the country.

The Congress party has already dispatched emissaries to hold talks with some trade union officials, religious figures and a few opposition politicians on its plan. According to David, the clear intention of the congress party is to put together a broad-based group "to fight this beast that is called the New National Party" and "to find a way to save us from going over the precipice".

He said the main opposition party sees the move as essential in developing "a framework" on the way forward "so that we can take our country out of this crisis and take it away from the mismanagement of the New National Party".

He pointed out that the country is definitely facing "a crisis" due to the recent sharp increases in fuel prices and the spin-off effects that it was having on other consumer goods in the country. David said this plea from the NDC is for "all" in the country to come together "in a fight for the future of this country".

"The National Democratic Congress is prepared to work with all organisations and individuals who have an interest in this country in order to take us out of this miss that we are in", he remarked.

"This is a fight that we must win", said David who is the elected Member of Parliament for the town of St. George constituency. David also told the gathering that the Congress party is committed to returning local government on the island in order to give the people a greater input in the running of their affairs.

He repeated the commitment given by the NDC during the 2003 general election campaign that the party in office will institute a free schoolbook scheme for students. He noted that the Mitchell government had branded the proposal as "a socialist and communist idea", but said it was more than ever needed right now "to give a break to parents" who are reeling from increasing transportation costs.

David also gave a commitment that an NDC government will introduce a cost-effective school bus system. He did not give details. The NDC Deputy Political Leader, George Prime who also addressed the meeting indicated that just about everybody in the country was "bawling" due to the economic crisis in the country.

Prime said that just about everything in the country is now in crisis including the Richard Cheltenham Inquiry set up by Governor-General, Sir Daniel Williams to investigate allegations that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell accepted a bribe of $US500, 000.00 in June 2000 from German fraudster Eric Resteiner in exchange for a diplomatic appointment.

Dr. Mitchell has consistently denied the allegation saying that he accepted "approximately US$15, 000" from Resteiner to cover the expenses of his delegation on a trip to several European States and Kuwait.

The inquiry has been brought to a standstill in light of a legal challenge made by the NDC to a decision by Commissioner Cheltenham to exclude them from cross-examining witnesses.