Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, has dropped strong hints that he does not intend to wait until the constitutionally provided deadline of April 2009 to call the next general election.

He was at the time speaking to reporters last Friday following a ceremony held to swear in the island¹s newest Senator, Sergeant of Police, Carl Caton as the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and fisheries.  

Dr. Mitchell said that while he would not give away the date for the next election,  people who know him well, know that he is not a last minute man in anything he does."That one (the election date) I am keeping close to me, but they can go up to April 2009", he added."So you can judge from that the projection will be a certain period of time. Watch my behaviour", he said.

The Grenadian leader who enjoys a slender 8-7 majority in Parliament is aiming to register a record fourth consecutive term in office at the next poll. Prime Minister Mitchell said he is extremely confident that the ruling New National Party (NNP) will retain the leadership of the country¹s affairs at the next general elections.

"There is no doubt in my mind (about this)", said Dr. Mitchell who is the longest serving parliamentarian in the country, spanning 23 years of unbroken service."I will not trade our place today for any other person¹s place", he added the Grenadian leader who has been at the helm of government since June 1995.

With the appointment of Sgt. Caton as the new Senator and likely replacement for former Senator, Adrian "Spaceman" Mitchell in the St. Patrick East seat, the Prime Minister is  confident that the constituency would fall back into the hands of the ruling party. The seat is presently held by Opposition Leader, Tillman Thomas who defeated ex-Senator Mitchell in the 2003 poll.

Dr. Mitchell is exuding confidence that Caton¹s entrance could result in an easier win for the NNP at the poll. He claimed that St Patrick East is "a typically strong" NNP constituency although they lost it the last time to the Opposition Leader but the next time around the table would be turned in favour of the ruling party.

He spoke of people within the constituency indicating their willingness to support Sen. Caton. There are reports circulating inside the constituency that several members of the NNP Constituency branch have threatened to resign over the manner in which the party is attempting to install Caton as the Caretaker Candidate for the area.

Dr. Mitchell also said he believed that the NNP is far better off at the moment than at the 2003 general election."We are stronger as a party and much more prepared", he quipped.

The opposition congress party is also confident of upstaging the NNP and forming the new government in the upcoming general election.