by Curlan Campbell, NOW Grenada
- Disciplinary action claims refuted by Youth Arm
- Fake Facebook profile created to spread propaganda
Chairman of the Youth Arm of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ian Thomas has refuted rumours that himself and two other members of the party are facing disciplinary action.
This follows the circulation of a WhatsApp message and Facebook posting stating, “The TRIO Ron, Ian, and Tevin have been disciplined by the leaders of the NDC Grenada.”
The message went on to say that Tevin Andrews was told by the leaders of the party to withdraw immediately from the race for general secretary in the party upcoming convention and [that] he will be suspended for 4 months immediately following his trip from London.
With regards to Senator Ron Redhead, the message stated that he “has been removed from the party management team and might be removed from the Senate. He will be replaced by Claudette Joseph. As for Thomas, he has been stripped from being the chairman of the party Youth Arm.”
The posting viewed on Facebook profile Kinzza James, has attracted much attention on social media. However, it is unclear as to whom is behind the creation of such a profile which at a cursory glance seems to post politically charged messages and questionable news attacking both the membership of the New National Party and the National Democratic Congress.
Thomas indicated this is just another malicious attack in an attempt to create instability within the party’s ranks. “There is no truth to the messages because it was brought to my attention this morning and I believe the person or group of people behind the posting they may have some malicious intent to create some level of discomfort within the organisation.”
He said neither of the 3 individual members of the NDC has had to face any disciplinary action. “Myself, neither Ron or Tevin has never been summoned to any disciplinary action by the party not now, last week nor ever, so the statement is of a malicious nature.”
Thomas has also refuted the notion that there may be some internal disputes brewing within the party’s senior and youthful membership. “No there is not, I believe we [NDC] have a very good relationship, only Saturday night the bulk of the of the youth members of the party was part of one of the party leaders annual cruise and it was all love, so I don’t think there is any fraction in any way.’
Coincidentally the circulation of this message on social media comes at a time when the party is celebrating 31 years as a political organisation. The party staged a number of activities to mark this occasion, starting with a church service on 30 September.
As part of giving back to the community, last Thursday the NDC provided some assistance to the Grand Anse Home for the Aged by donating some much-needed supplies. On Wednesday, 10 October supplies were also donated to the Charles Memorial Home. They will be donating supplies to the Cadrona Home for the Aged, on 18 October. The party questions why these positive activities didn’t get any highlight.
Thomas is more than certain that the Facebook profile is fake and was created with the intention of spreading propaganda.
