Grenada is going through a "very trying time'' with 12 years of a government that has destroyed the country's moral fibre, a crowd of opposition supporters was told at a public meeting at La Borie, St. George's.
The large crowd cheered and sang in response to speeches from National Democratic Congress (NDC) members, who slammed the New National Party (NNP) administration for its poor record of governance.
They also suggested that the party's leader and Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell was afraid to call a general election that he is sure to lose."I am counting on you for your support whenever the Prime Minister has the courage to call the elections,'' NDC leader Tillman Thomas told the party faithful at the La Borie junction, where the NDC officially launched the candidacy of Karl Hood.
A religious leader and trained optician, Hood is the NDC's candidate for St. George South East."Tonight I'm preaching salvation from bad governance and nepotism,'' said Hood, who was joined on stage by three of his siblings.
The NDC's mission, he said, is to "rid this country of a corrupt regime that has destroyed the moral fibre of Grenada.''
Hood urged NNP supporters to get off the "sinking'' ship of Dr. Mitchell and join the NDC's "march to freedom,'' saying "the day of reckoning is coming'' for the Mitchell regime.
"We, of the NDC have heard the voice of the Grenadian public,'' Hood said. "We offer you a team that really believes that every Grenadians deserves an opportunity.''
Hood's opponent in St. George South East is Deputy Prime Minister Gregory Bowen.
The confidence of an NDC win was summed up by community youth worker, George "Porgie'' Cherebin, who declared that the "biggest casualty'' of the election will be Bowen.
NDC MPs, who were joined on stage on Sunday by senators and some of the party's candidates for the upcoming election, unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Hood, describing him as a man of courage and an outstanding religious and community leader.
MP Nazim Burke, who contacted Hood to invite him to run for the NDC after reading an article the pastor wrote in a newspaper, said the economic and social challenges facing Grenada "require men and women of integrity'' like Karl Hood.
This is a "very trying time'' for Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, where "the trade of our country has collapsed,'' said Burke, MP for St. George North East and NDC Public Relations Officer.
"Grenada is virtually exporting nothing except embarrassment on behalf of this government,'' Burke asserted.
Other parliamentarians, such St. David MP Dennis Lett, Glynis Roberts of St. George South and Peter David of Town of St. George, extended an invitation to supporters of other parties to join the NDC campaign to rebuild the nation.
"We are a unifying force, whether you are red, green or gold,'' Roberts said. "As long as you are a Grenadian you are part of our movement. We welcome all of you into the fold.''
David, the NDC General Secretary, said the "end is in sight'' for the NNP and "the next government of Grenada will be a government led by Brother Tillman Thomas, political leader of the National Democratic Congress.
The ushering in of an NDC administration, David said, is an opportunity for all Grenadians to work to build a better Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.
