ST.PATRICK, GRENADA, JULY 27-The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) is reportedly facing renewed uncertainty over its representation in the strategically important St. Patrick East constituency after local party members declined to endorse Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall as their candidate for the next general election.

According to the online edition of The New Today newspaper, members of the constituency branch voted 36-26 during a meeting on Friday night against endorsing Cornwall. Prime Minister and NDC Political Leader Dickon Mitchell was reportedly present for the vote.

The report said the outcome has intensified speculation that the party is considering an alternative candidate, including a woman who reportedly works closely with the senior government minister. It also noted that Cornwall has faced longstanding criticism from some constituency members, who have accused him of failing to maintain a strong enough grassroots presence.

However, the issue may not be settled. The New Today reported that supporters of the Finance Minister are considering challenging the vote’s validity, arguing that several participants were not active members of the party. The newspaper also cited reports alleging that opposition to Cornwall within the constituency was coordinated by a medical doctor. Those claims have not been independently verified.

St. Patrick East is widely viewed as one of the most competitive constituencies heading into the next election.

Political observers have consistently identified both St. Patrick East and St. Patrick West as potential swing seats that could significantly influence the overall election outcome, with the NDC expected to face strong challenges from the opposition New National Party (NNP) while the Democratic People’s Movement (DPM) is also seeking to establish a presence in the parish.

Cornwall won the constituency for the NDC in the 2022 general election, ending the NNP’s hold on the seat.

In recent years, however, political commentary has repeatedly suggested that St. Patrick East remains one of the ruling party’s most vulnerable constituencies because of concerns about constituency organization and grassroots engagement.