Local News

Activist speaks on the “opportunism” of Grenadian deputy leader

by CARIBUPDATE NEWS SERVICE

July 24, 2012

GRENADIAN POLITICAL ACTIVIST and a former campaigner for Grenada’s Prime Minister said the free-fall of the ruling National Democratic Congress is a major “indictment” against leadership aspirant Nazim Burke.

Burke is the Deputy leader of the NDC, who just over 10 years ago was proposed to challenge Tillman Thomas for the party’s leadership before it was shot down just before a convention in 2002.

He has since grown to be a major ally of Thomas in the current battle for control party.

But in the view of activist Kennedy Budhlall, Burke’s current position is steeped in “opportunism”.

Budhlall said he is less than impressed with Burke’s conduct during the current crisis.

“Nazim Burke is one of the most skilful manipulators. He allowed Tillman to fight his war,” he said in a recent interview with local station Real FM, in referring the current open split in the Grenadian ruling party.

In recent weeks, Thomas has dismissed rulings of the executive of the NDC, where his influence is reportedly on the wane, and has instead increasingly depended on Burke and a handful of selected officials including Information Minister Glen Noel.

“(I have come) to the conclusion that Nazim is one of the biggest opportunists in the party,” Budhlall said in analyzing the current situation.

He accused the deputy leader of standing-by amidst the infighting without using his influence to carve out a settlement.

“So when they (Thomas and David) destroy themselves politically (Burke) will just rise and control the party. So we feel that is an opportunist position,” the activist said of the deputy leader.

Budhlall said he had spoken to Burke about his lack of leadership in the current crisis.

He reported: “(I went to Naz and said), how come you sit idly by and watch your two good friends Tillo and Peter  fight and bloody up themselves for so long, not one time you step forward  and say, ‘Look Oh God enough is enough , let’s stop the fighting?’’’

Budhlall reported that the Deputy Grenadian leader said he did not want to say anything to inflame the situation.

“I (asked) by asking for peace and unity in the party it will inflame the situation further? No you see yourself as the natural beneficiary of the breaking-up of the party,” Budhlall told his interviewer.

Burke was not immediately available Tuesday for reactions to the allegations.

The outspoken activist declared: “The indictment against Nazim is remaining silent. If we wanted peace he would have asked for peace. He doesn’t want any peace.”

Comments are closed.