ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, FEBRUARY 16-A scathing letter from a prominent New National Party (NNP) insider is circulating widely, accusing the opposition party of “dumping candidates” on constituents ahead of general elections, constitutionally due next year but widely expected in 2026.

Robert Modeste, brother of St. Mark MP Claris Modeste and her longtime campaign manager, has broken ranks with party leadership over what he describes as a “very flawed process” that bypasses democratic selection.

“The biggest insult one can heap on others is making them feel that they don’t have a brain or that they cannot decide what’s good for them,” Modeste wrote. “The dumping of candidates on people is saying to them, you could only accept what I give you.”

The letter emerges amid recent NNP candidate launches that have created significant internal tension, particularly in the St. Mark and St. Patrick East constituencies.

Modeste, whose sister is a former government minister in previous NNP administrations, specifically protests the selection of Dr. Myanna Charles as St. Mark candidate, arguing the process bypassed qualified contenders, including Shon Charles, “a PhD person who has already established himself in the community.”

“The named candidate had a good three years to make up her mind and do the work in St. Mark, she refused and has only gone out with the minister once,” Modeste wrote, questioning why she was chosen over the longtime caretaker who “carried the constituency for the past three years.”

While noting his sister appears “happy with what went on,” Modeste insists his protest is about principle. “Even in the corrupt USA, preliminaries are observed,” he wrote. “Why bypass the democratic process?”

Modeste warned that the NNP has been losing ground to Peter David’s Democratic People’s Movement in St. Mark. “Anyone who thinks that we have not lost some supporters to the movement has his head in the sky.”

In St. Patrick East, similar controversy erupted when playwright Robert Whyte’s selection sparked rebellion at a River Sallée branch meeting. Party General Secretary Roland Bhola faced fierce resistance from activists backing Brian John, who questioned why Deron Gordon was bypassed.

The turmoil follows the controversial December 2024 leadership convention, where Peter David withdrew, citing concerns about election manipulation, triggering mass resignations, including from all 17 executive members of the Town of St. George branch.

Modeste concluded: “I am one who would not let wrongs go unchallenged.”