Will general elections be held this year or will the ruling New National Party (NNP) go down to the wire? That’s a question being asked in Grenada at every corner, but in the meantime the two main political parties are gearing up for what many say will be a tough battle when the election date is announced. On Sunday, the country was engaged in political activity when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NNP staged events as they aimed to get their respective supporters on board. The NNP held its 22nd Annual Convention at the Grenada Trade Centre under the theme “NNP for Positive Change – Let the Progress Continue”. The party has added four new caretakers to its slate. One of the four, Kennedy Roberts, who was endorsed on Saturday, will come up against one of the NDC’s parliamentary representatives Nazim Burke in the St. George North East Constituency. According to information from the NNP office, all four candidates are confident in their chances of gaining victory in their respective constituencies whenever the election is called. General Secretary Claris Charles referred to the amount of time and effort the opposition party is putting into "manufacturing propaganda" against key members of the NNP leadership. Charles warned supporters that they must be prepared to dismiss such propaganda, and must not fall victim to it or even engage in helping to spread the propaganda. Meantime the Deputy Political Leader, Gregory Bowen elaborated on the good track record of progress under the New National Party in the areas of Infrastructure, water, electricity and telephones. Mention was made of the government’s decision to divest some of its shares in Cable and Wireless and Bowen assured all that the proceeds from such divestment will go towards the liquidating of some of Grenada’s debt, which will eventually result in the lowering of the interest that is paid on these loans. Political Leader Dr Keith Mitchell told his supporters that, as a result of the resilience shown by Grenadians after the passage of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily and the rapid recovery of Grenada after those two hurricanes, persons and leaders from around the world are inviting him to various conferences to share with them the Grenadian experience. Dr Mitchell questioned whether the NDC leader will be capable of sharing such experiences with the international community if given the opportunity. Over at the NDC camp on Sunday, a new candidate was endorsed. Rev Karl Hood has decided to brave all the critics and join the NDC ranks to contest the St George South East constituency against the NNP’s Gregory Bowen. Hood’s announcement late last year to stand for a seat in Parliament stirred up a national debate about the role of the church in politics. But he said three months after that initial discussion that he is now even clearer that he made the right decision, since a lot of people have expressed interest in the political process again. The NDC also used Sunday’s political meeting to launch its campaign and, according to party officials, when the date is announced the NDC party will be way ahead in the race. Instead of tongue lashing the government, members of the opposition spent the time outlining their plans to bring the country forward as the party prepares to form the next government. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com