ST. GEORGE ‘S, Grenada: Away from the glare of the media, and still stunned by the results of last November’s general elections, the extended campaign continues for the New National Party.

The opposition might have been equally surprised – pleasantly so – with the results. But have in many ways reacted to it differently.

In one of the paradoxes of the period, NNP has operated since the last election as it if had lost the poll, and the NDC meantime has largely acted as if it has won it.

Except for in a few instances, the NNP’s field work since the November poll has been more intense and purposely, though in some areas it has bordered on hysteria and panic.

The arrogance that partly explains its loss of ground last year has not completely gone, but some key players have learnt some hard lessons.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell now appears ready to rid himself of the ghosts that have dragged him down, and changes are likely to the party structure sooner rather than later. If only he can clear himself of his own internal partisan demons, his redemption could be salvaged, if not necessarily assured.

On the other hand NDC’s momentum has slowed, if not stopped. Both the imagination and emotion that capped the final two weeks of campaigning have evaporated.

Interestingly the expected budget debate this week provides a unique platform for the Grenada opposition. But the expectations are so high among many people in the street, anything but a consistent stellar performance will be a let down.

Whatever the strengths and weaknesses in their current work, both the ruling New National Party and the main opposition National Democratic Congress are still operating on the premise that a 2004 election of some type is not completely out of the question.

Both are not quite ready for it yet though. NNP still has not completely reconfigured its ineffective team, and NDC does not have the money to make another campaign an attractive alternative.

A lot however will depend on what happens with the NDC’s challenge of the razor-thin close results in Carriacou. That case is set to resume next month, with the government hiring Trinidadian Russell Martineau to join its team. The NDC has already opted for the services of Barbadian Elliot Mottley to join its high profile local team.

It is a high stakes event that will set the tone for everything else to follow.

Inspite of initial advise to jump before he is pushed, Prime Minister Mitchell is bent on hanging on to power for as long as he could. Elections are only likely to come if the courts demand it.

“Any election this year is like committing suicide. We would surely lose the poll. What we need is time. If I have anything to do with it, there will be no election,” a top party official recently told this reporter.

Dr Mitchell had however listened attentively on Christmas eve when a newspaper editor came calling on is front verandah, convincing him that calling a poll this year could be in his best interest. But the rank and file of his party, still jittery following the November scare, does not buy the editor’s theory.

Dr Mitchell was not sure what to do initially, but he has more than made up his mind now: stay put, hope for the best and plan for the worst.

The NNP team is particularly active in Carriacou, which in any event could be the battleground constituency. While it has full-time paid activist on the ground, the hard-up-for-cash NDC has none.

Unconfirmed reports that an international agency might be investigating the finances of senior minister Elvin Nimrod, the controversial winner in Carriacou, however add a new dimension to the possibilities.

Generally, though at a less intense level, the party field work of the NNP has hardly stopped. The party has deliberately sought to increase its presence South St George and Town of St George, which were two of the losses last November.

That though has particularly been forced by the activity and visibility of the newcomers Glynis Roberts (South St George) and Peter David (Town of St George).

The two are considered to be the most visible and effective NDC parliamentarians, and their weekly community activities including clean-up campaigns and the setting-up of village councils have forced the NNP to react.


SOURCE: CARIBUPDATE.COM