St George’s, November 15, 2013 – An internecine war is brewing within Grenada’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) as it prepares for its February convention and a likely leadership race.

Former Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, who has led the NDC for more than a decade, lost his own seat in his party’s 15-0 whitewash by the New National Party nine months ago.

Thomas has sent mixed signals on whether he wants to remain as leader, but that hasn’t stop leadership hopefuls and their supporters from jockeying for the NDC’s top position.

Nazim Burke, deputy leader and former finance minister, is known to be interested in succeeding Thomas.

However, documents made privy to some local reporters, show that Burke’s ascendancy to leader is being opposed by one party member who sits on the NDC’s “Strategy Committee’’, and describing himself as a “first- generation NDCite’’ with “impeccable’’ credentials; boasting also that he has “worked as hard as any other, perhaps harder than most, in the NDC’s cause, especially since 2001’’.

In one document, he complains in writing of not only being the subject of gossip and of accusations of being jealous of Burke, but reveals that he also has had to deal with “a threat of physical harm which I described to some of you then as ‘goon politics’’’.

The writer, a senior staff member in the Prime Minister’s Office in the final year of the NDC administration, said he is not duty-bound to explain why he does not support Burke as leader. But conceded that he is prepared to provide his reasons, “if that becomes necessary’’.

The former high school friend of Burke’s warned against “a new round of in-fighting’’ in the NDC, which lost five of its 11 MPs to resignation and dismissal in just over four years in government.

“My humble appeal is that all those who have the best interests of the NDC at heart should seek to influence positive change before another round of ugliness hits the NDC,’’ he said.

“My considered opinion is that if Mr Burke does not re-settle his ego and pride, and if others do not lift a finger to help to resolve this matter, things will not get any better, publicly and internally. Any such development will not be in the best interest of the NDC.’’