All is not well within the ruling New National Party (NNP), headed by Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell.
A confidential email message from a member of the party has given hints of some of the internal bickering within the party that is preparing to face battle in the upcoming general election with the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
It appears that the man in charge of NNP Internet operations, Nazim Benjamin is under fire from some of his own party members.
Benjamin reacted by urging his party members to spend more of their time "listening and reading into the tactics of the opposition whenever you're made aware of it".
It is not clear whether his reference to "tactics" is related to the spying incident carried out last Tuesday night by the Special Branch of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) on a closed door executive meeting of the congress party.
Following is an edited version of the Nazim Benjamin email that was obtained by this newspaper:
From: nnpwebmaster@spiceisle.com
To: nnpwebmaster@spiceisle.com
Subject: We NOT on the move!
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:26:24 -0500
Good day to all, I am going to say it as I see it and who the Cap fit let them wear it.
I have said it time and time again that we (NNP) (are) wasting a lot of PRECIOUS time. To begin, I urge you to take a look at the attached NDC news release for today and you would notice that the NDC is riding on the International Womens Day ticket and they have already started promotion.
Some may say we don't have to follow the NDC and I agree to some extent. However, what are we doing as it relates to the NNP'S Womens and Youth Convention?
What are the dates, venues? Are we going to wait two days before these events to promote it? We need to educate the masses about these upcoming events.
Take a look also at what is being reported by the NDC about NNP registering voters in the US. These are things we need to (be) kept informed about and that's where I come in because many of you would not visit the NDC website.
Another concern I have is that of certain persons who continue to think I am promoting the NDC by e-mailing their ramblings, press releases, audio clips etc.
Let me make this clear or try to put it in simple terms for those of you who don't understand how technology and politics do work together.
Many of us don't have time to listen to the radio, watch news or the various TV programmes but one thing is for certain we ALWAYS have time to check e-mail and criticise whenever the NDC makes a statement and we cannot get it on tape.
That's where my time and effort come into effect. My e-mailing of the NDC ramblings as I call it, is to EDUCATE the Ministers, Senators, Executive members and supporters of the New National Party as to what is being said out there by the opposition forces.
My e-mails are sent ONLY to NNP Ministers, Senators, Executive members and supporters who are known to me. I DO NOT send "inhouse e-mails" to persons on the NNP'S General mailing list whose identity I cannot confirm, so all the noise about me promoting NDC is really not necessary.
Rather than spend time talking about my efforts, time should be spent listening and reading into the tactics of the opposition whenever you're made aware of it.
Time and effort should also be spent reminding Grenadians of how the NNP changed their lives and this country's image on a whole. The time we spend bashing the NDC and not educating our people would be our BIGGEST mistake ... a mistake that nearly cost us an election in 2003.
Now I am not singling out anyone, but the persons who up to this day (are) still "crying" about me promoting the NDC you need to get up to the time and understand the technological world we live in today.
It is my duty to ensure that my party and its members are on the same level as it relates to information. It is also my duty to ensure that (we) stay in Office come the next elections, so I will take whatever action I see as beneficial to the party.
I am on "the ground" as they say, and I hear people views, listen to their views and the general thoughts of persons both on our side and the opposing side and it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that certain persons within the NNP need to be more proactive.
One last thing, it has been almost (a) month since I requested information from the various constituencies for the NNP'S website. Well I am "happy" to report that to date, out of 15 Constituencies I have only received information from the following constituencies:
- Town of St. George
- St. Andrew South East
- St. ANdrew North West
- St. George South
- St. Patrick East (photos of projects, still awaiting visions)
Note: I basically have all the profiles and photos of the Ministers/Candidates, but I am yet to receive their respective achievements and visions.
I still have not received any information on the Party's major and recent achievements, the Executive team, Women's Arm, Youth Arm and NNP Toronto support group.
However, I received info from the New York support group three days after I requested the info. How far is New York again?
I would like to take this opportunity to remind all that the "NNP's Straight Talk" radio programme with Mr. Ian Edwards has begun its new season on Citysound FM97.5 every Wednesday from 7.00 p.m - 8 p.m.
It is also important for us all (to) listen and partake in the various radio programmes involving NNP members I.e: "GBN'S To the Point", and George Grant's, "Sundays with George Grant" which is aired every Sunday 9.a.m - 12 midday ( www.grenadabroadcast.com).
The NDC's radio programme "NDC Heartbeat" is also aired on Sunday mornings on WeeFM 93.9FM from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (www.weefmgrenada.com )
Regards,
Nazim A. Benjamin
Wemaster | IT Technician
New National Party
