ST GEORGE’S – The general secretary of the ruling New National Party (NNP), Roland Bhola, says he will not contest the next general election constitutionally due by May next year but widely expected to be held later this year.
Bhola, the parliamentary representative for the St Andrew North East constituency, told a public meeting here on Tuesday night that he had already communicated his position to Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell.
“I have indicated to the political leader and my colleagues that I do not wish to be a candidate in the next general elections . . . . I know that my wishes had initially taken them by surprise, but they have now fully accepted my vision about bringing change to this constituency moving forward.
“As the general secretary of the NNP, I want to lead this consolidation effort. I want to play a pivotal role in the campaign ahead and then beyond that,” Bhola told the meeting, which was attended by senior NNP members including the assistant general secretary, Peter David.
“When the NNP is returned to office, something I am very confident about, I want to be able to turn my full attention to the affairs of the party. We have to expand our membership; attract young leaders; build the headquarters and remain consistent with our philosophy of inclusion and empowerment.
“This is a vision that I have set for myself and the Party, and this is a vision that my colleagues have bought into,” Bhola told the meeting, adding that he is of the view that having served four terms as a parliamentarian, he is confident that he can now pass the baton to another person.
“As I am transitioning from government to frontline politics, I told the Prime Minister that I will have an obligation to work even harder than I did in government because I will be working only for my party; therefore if my party loses, then I have no job. I have to ensure that NNP stays in government; not only for the betterment of Grenada, but for my own livelihood,” he said.
Bhola, who at times served as a government minister, is the second government legislator to announce that they would not be contesting the election.
Minister of Legal Affairs, Elvin Nimord, 74, who is the parliamentary representative for Carriacou and Petite Martinique, earlier this month indicated that he would be stepping down from active politics. (CMC)
