Speculation is rife that a Cuban-trained Engineer is the current front-runner to contest the St. David's seat for the ruling New National Party (NNP) government in the next general election.

Informed sources told GRENADA TODAY that the official returned to the country recently after nearly ten years of study in Cuba in the field of engineering. According to a source, the official who lives in La Tante, St. David's was recently named by the NNP as the Housing Co-ordinator for the area.

He said that the appointment is clearly aimed at raising the public profile of the person in the area. "What they (NNP) hoping is that if he (the prospective candidate) is seen giving out building material like board and cement to people in the area that he would be able to get their support as the candidate", he added.

The NNP has been on the look out for sometime now for a caretaker for the seat that is currently held by Lands Surveyor Denis Lett of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Lett defeated NNP's former Minister of Implementation and current Ambassador to Mainland China, Joslyn Whiteman to capture the seat in the November 2003 general elections. A week ago, barrister-at-law, Dwight Horsford confided in close aides that Prime Minister Mitchell offered him the candidacy for the St. George North-east seat against NDC's Nazim Burke.

And newly appointed Minister of Youth Affairs Emmalin Pierre is said to be campaigning for the St. Andrew's South-east seat that is currently held by NDC's Kenrick Fullerton. The ruling party is also said to be considering possible replacements for Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, Senator Brenda Hood for the Town of St. George's, Health Minister Ann David-Antoine in South St. George and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Adrian "Spaceman" Mitchell in the rural St. Patrick East constituency.

Former National cricketer, Stalin Romain has already been installed as the NNP Caretaker for the St. Andrew North-west seat that is held by NDC's Alleyne Walker. The defeated NNP Candidate in the 2003 poll, former Education Minister Laurina Waldron still has her eyes set on contesting the seat.

Waldron continues to be visible in the constituency and has vowed to contest the seat even as an independent candidate if the NNP forces her out of the running.

The ex-female government is said to be hoping for a show-down with Romain in open, free and fair elections involving NNP members in the constituency. Although Prime Minister Mitchell has another two-and-a-half years in office, he is already preparing the NNP machinery for the next poll with the appointment of new candidates in several constituencies.

The ruling party enjoys a slender 8-7 majority in parliament over the Congress party that is headed by Opposition Leader, Tillman Thomas.