Monique Hepburn, News Editor
People's National Party presidential candidate and Member of Parliament for Central Westmoreland, Dr. Karl Blythe (centre), and supporters raise their fists in support of what they claim is defiance against attempts to bribe delegates in his Central Westmoreland, constituency following allegations he was withholding delegate cards to influence votes. - Monique Hepburn Photo
WESTERN BUREAU:
A NEW row has erupted in the People's National Party (PNP) leadership race, with aspirant Dr. Karl Blythe, accusing supporters of a fellow contender of bribing delegates in his Central Westmoreland constituency.
According to Dr. Blythe, the activity has been taking place for several weeks with an attempt being made as recently as Thursday night. He has since reported the allegations to the PNP hierarchy and has taken steps to withhold delegates' nomination cards, claiming that due process will be followed in selecting bonafide delegates.
"I picked up that heavy money was circulating, up to $15,000 in my constituency to try to influence the delegates in the party one way or another," Dr. Blythe told The Gleaner yesterday.
GIVE BACK THE MONEY
"The People's National Party is not for sale, and nobody, including even leaders in the constituency who we know have taken large sums of money, will be allowed to bring central into any disrepute. God help them because they are going to have to give back the money."
But scores of irate persons gathered at Dr. Blythe's constituency office on Lewis Street in Savanna-la-Mar claiming that his action is a deliberate attempt to swing the results of the PNP leadership race by installing delegates who are in favour of his campaign.
"I am not surprised that this has happened, because we are talking about 280 delegates and they will be meeting in one place. Everybody is looking to see what they can come and scrape up," said Dr. Blythe. "Look how they tried to infiltrate my base and my base stood up and defended itself."
On Thursday night, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson told PNP supporters at a meeting in his Eastern Westmoreland constituency that the delegates were not for sale.
"My position is clear: Nobody is going to buy out delegates in this constituency, nobody is going to deliver delegates to any particular candidate. I am giving no one any instructions in choosing the person who is best suited to take on the leadership of the party," Mr. Patterson stated.
