ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA: The considered main opposition National Democratic Congress says paid activists of the ruling New National Party have been
behind acts of vandalism and violence targeted at the party.

NDC says persons who are known to be in the full employ of the NNP were seen driving around between 3 am and 4 am Tuesday morning tearing down
several billboards promoting the candidacy of NDC leader Tillman Thomas in the St Patrick’s area.

The latest act of vandalism came one day after NDC publicly complained about other acts which have taken place all over the island in the last week.

The NNP denied the earlier accusations saying opposition elements themselves might be engaged in the actitivies to smear them.

"Once again the ruling party has insulted the intelligence of Grenadians," NDc said in response, describing the denial as "laughable."

Within the last few days a Carriacou man was struck in the face with a bottle at a public function after he professed his support for the NDC.
The man who is popularly called Booboontan was treated at the local hospital.

NDC officials say they are not treating it as an isolated event, but believe it is part of a new trend by the incumbent party to try to
intimidate its supporters.

Rodney “Yellowman” Francois, a resident of Florida, St John’s who had his home stoned by NNP supporters on the weekend following a public meeting in the area said he thinks he was specially targeted because of his high profile switch in party allegiances.

"It was a malicious act, and anti-political in the sense that I was influential for the NNP, then I started working for the NDC,” he said.

Francois said he identified the attackers and has since main an official complaint to the police, which are said to be investigating.

NDC candidate for St Patrick’s West Joseph Gilbert, who also had some of his billboards torn down, described the vandalism as “cowardly acts.”

“It’s a sign of weakness, but it would not deter us from engaging the public in our ideas and programs for the development of this country,” he said this week.

NDC leader Tillman Thomas also condemned the emerging behaviour.

"We really condemn this type of behavior because each political party should have the right to promote themselves and communicate with the
public, and any attempt to frustrate that communication is an interference with the democratic process,” he said.

Though elections are constitutional due by the middle of next year, it is widely believed here that the poll will be called by Prime Minister Dr
Keith Mitchell before the end of the year.

Thomas said: “We of the NDC have always promoted democratic institutions and we do condemn all those who are trying to disrupt the democratic process. We see this as a dangerous trend because as it gets closer to election, it could lead to confrontation.”