..... in St. Andrew North-west
St. Andrew’s school teacher, Delma Charles has quit her post at the La Fillette Government School to take up a political appointment in the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
Political observers regard the move as a clear attempt by Charles to pave the way for her to contest the rural St. Andrew North-west seat in the upcoming general election for the ruling New National Party (NNP) of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.
Three others were named as potential candidates for the ruling party for the seat that is currently held by Alleyne Walker of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
They are former Member of Parliament for the area, Laurina Waldron, estate worker Starlin Romain and the current Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Lennox “Toes” Andrews.
According to a well-placed source, Charles is now assigned to the Ministry of Youth to work alongside Minister Emmalin Pierre who is earmarked to contest the St. Andrew South-east seat for NNP in the next poll.
Another female, Yoland Bain-Horsford, the current Minister of Social Services is the sitting Member of Parliament for the NNP in the St. Andrew’s South-west constituency.
If all three women are selected, it would be the first time that a political party in Grenada is fielding three women in four of the seats in the critical St. Andrew’s parish.
Charles who is married to a policeman is the daughter of late Fitzroy Charles, a former Community Development Officer with the Grenada government.
Speculation is rife that the party that captures the most seats in the northern half of the island including St. Andrew’s is heavily favoured to win the next general election on the island.
Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that medical doctor Trevor Friday has dropped out of the race to contest the St. Patrick East seat for the ruling party against Opposition Leader, Tillman Thomas.
Another member of the medical profession, a female dentist was seen in the constituency over the Christmas holiday period actively distributing toys on behalf of the NNP to the children of the area.
General elections are due within the next two years.
