Grenada's Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell has said he is willing to step down amid reports of a division within the ruling New National Party (NNP) as it prepares for a general election later this year.

The NNP which has been in government for the past 13 years will be seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive term.

The election there is constitutionally due by April.

NNP sources have reported concerns among the membership over the party's ability to retain the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.

But NNP General Secretary Clarice Charles has rejected those claims as the party prepares for its last annual convention before the next general elections.

In the 2003 general election, the NNP won by a 1 seat margin receiving 48 percent of the popular votes to the National Democratic Congress' 45 percent.

Speculation is rife that the NNP could suffer the same fate of incumbent governments in several Caribbean countries including Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia and The Bahamas.


Reprinted from radioja.com