St. George’s, Grenada -November 26, 2024- Grenadian politics took an unexpected turn late Tuesday night when Kennedy Budhlal, a controversial revolutionary figure, withdrew from a highly anticipated appearance on Ride Along’s famous social media show.

Budhlal had promised to reveal explosive information, fueling public intrigue and speculation.

Instead, Ian “Jango” Thomas, a political figure from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), appeared on the program and hinted that Budhlal had been influenced to stay silent.

The withdrawal followed an incendiary week in Grenadian politics, sparked by remarks from former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, leader of the opposition New National Party (NNP).

Speaking at a zonal meeting in St. Andrew’s last week, Mitchell referenced the 1978 assassination of former Agriculture Minister Innocent Belmar.

Budhlal perceived his comments as a veiled personal attack, igniting a firestorm on social media.

Belmar’s murder, a seminal event in Grenadian political history, remains shrouded in controversy.

The former minister, a divisive figure accused of police brutality during his tenure as an Assistant Superintendent of Police, was gunned down at a St. Andrew’s restaurant in January 1978.

Budhlal and Lauristan Wilson were charged with the crime but were later acquitted in what many believe was a trial tainted by political undercurrents.

During the NNP meeting, Mitchell alluded to Belmar’s death in a manner that seemed to resonate with Grenada’s turbulent political past.

“Innocent Belmar was killed for politics,” Mitchell stated. “We executed a Prime Minister, and a lot of innocent people died. So when a Prime Minister would make a statement that his political opponent should not be alive, take warning.”

Budhlal, a former revolutionary soldier and critical figure in the New Jewel Movement (NJM), saw these remarks as a direct affront.

Within hours, he took to Facebook, alleging that Mitchell’s comments carried implications about his past actions and affiliations.

Ride Along, hosted by Junior George, had promoted Budhlal’s appearance extensively.

“I got calls indicating that some people in high positions were influencing him not to appear,” said George.

“Budhlal knows where the political bodies are buried. What he has to say could change the political landscape.”

In Budhlal’s stead, Thomas confirmed the external pressures, stating, “We’ve been in discussions for some time. Budhlal wants to share his revolutionary experiences and address current political issues, but there are forces restraining him.”

Budhlal’s withdrawal has left Grenadians speculating about the nature of the information he intended to reveal.

The timing coincides with heightened tensions within the NNP, where factional divides are growing.

Thomas remarked that Mitchell’s comments at the St. Andrew’s meeting were “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” leading Budhlal to consider breaking his silence after decades of relative quiet.

This incident also revives interest in Belmar’s assassination, a tragedy that underscored Grenada’s volatile pre-revolutionary period.