Grenada PM stands firm
By Rawle Titus ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, July 2, CMC – Prime Minister Tillman Thomas Monday bluntly refused to postpone a government-sponsored rally that coincides with one by his ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) saying unlike the party, his administration “owes a duty of accountability to the electorate and the public”.
Thomas and his NDC executive are at loggerheads over activities to mark the party’s fourth anniversary in government and in a statement issued late on Sunday, the executive said it hoped the prime minister would reconsider his decision to stage the rally on July 8.
But Thomas told a news conference that while the NDC Constitution is very clear on the relationship between government and party, “it does not allow for the government to be directed or instructed by the party in its decision-making”.
He said while the constitution stipulates that than “an NDC government must pay regard to the views of the party”, the “obligation is to give consideration to proposal made by the party
In its statement, the NDC’s executive said it is proceeding with plans to celebrate the party’s election to government despite Prime Minister Thomas’ refusal to postpone his rally.
“We are still hoping that the Prime Minister and our Political Leader will reconsider his unilateral stance at having a competing event on the day and that he will listen instead to the advice of his own party and not that of non-party advisers,” the statement said.
“We look forward to him as Political Leader joining his Cabinet colleagues, his party leadership, the rank and file members of the party and the general Grenadian community in a non-divisive event of joy and celebration at La Tante Beach on July 8th”.
(Details in Politics section)
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