ST. GEORGE ‘S, Grenada: With under two weeks to go before general elections it appears that it is shaping up to be a two-way fight between the incumbent New National Party and the National Democratic Congress.

In the estimation of most analysts who claim to know the local politics well, the votes should be close though NNP starts with the advantage of being the incumbent and having the most resources.

In a political arena, where impression is everything, the ruling party is going out of the way Friday to explain that a circulated “poll” here this week is not authentic.

No official poll has been published here, but a document purported to be from a Trinidad-based pollster which it is claimed was done about a month ago is suggesting that the NDC could have the slight edge in a close race.

All the major parties have denied they have anything to do with the information being circulated, and coming as it is from an unknown source it has been given an unusual amount of attention.

A Grenada Broadcasting Network report said that the talked-about source of the information has denied any knowledge of it.

But internal figures of both NNP and NDC, which CARIBUPDATE reporters have had privy to in the last few weeks have looked very familiar in most cases – and points to a close national race.

With the countdown to the poll, a new trend of un-sourced pamphlets are appearing daily on the streets of St George’s – and with accusations going back and forth it is becoming difficult to discern between fact and fiction.

“A lot is at stake here and there is a level of desperation on may sides. This is turning out to be a bruising general election,” one of the election watchers for CARIBUPDATE told our reporters Thursday.

Prime Minister Keith Mitchell this week appeared on a live community forum television program this week on local CC6 on Wednesday night.

Party strategists have been so pleased about his performance that they had requested a copy of the tape to sponsor a broadcast on GBN – a non cable station considered to have a wider reach.

During the community forum Prime Minister Mitchell defended the now suspended citizenship program, which has been severely criticized here by the opposition. He said the island raised millions of dollars from the program which helped fund social programs of the government, but it was suspended only because “the world had changed.”

It was an apparent reference to the events of September 11, 2001 in the United States.

There were some tense moments during the event when Prime Minister Mitchell was questioned about the controversial labor relations act by trade unionist Chester Humphrey.

Dr Mitchell denied that the act curtails workers’ right to strike as the trade unions have claimed. Humphrey accused him of not understanding the legislation of his own government.

Amidst counter-claims of both not telling the truth Dr Mitchell also clashed with former public servant Basil Harford, who the government forced to go into retirement seven years ago.

In suggesting political interference in the public service, Harford claims that the Prime Minister personally directed him to go into retirement at a meeting he had summoned.

The Prime Minister said that Harford, who was a Clerk of Parliament, had refused to meet with him on request about the opening of a new parliament.

On Thursday night, the NDC staged a major meeting in south St George in the heart of the tourist belt.

Flag waving supporters dancing to Jimmy Cliff’s “Harder They Come” blocked the large intersection to the Maurice Bishop Highway as they listened to Tillman Thomas declaring that his party will bring back a more gentle tone to government.

Thomas claimed that the Mitchell administration has systematically sought to undermine the public service,, stating it is has never been so politicized in 30 years of independence.

The NDC boss said that as a matter of policy under an administration he heads, it will seek to restore the independence of the public service.

“Politicians come and politicians go but we must seek to protect the public service from political interference as a matter of policy. An efficient public service ensures continuity,” he declared.


SOURCE: CARIBUPDATE.COM