Dr. Gonsalves: Let’s call two by-elections

Opposition leader Arnhim Eustace has laughed off an election challenge made to him by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and has issued one of his own.{{more}}

“Let him call a general election. The New Democratic Party (NDP) will be ready – we are ready,” Eustace said last Tuesday afternoon in response to a challenge issued by Dr Gonsalves earlier the same day at a press conference.

Dr Gonsalves earlier accused Eustace of grand charging and challenged him to what was tantamount to a political version of a school yard fight.

“”He (Eustace) will resign his seat and I will resign at the same time. We will go back in by-elections in our respective seats. Let us see how the people respond to us,” Dr Gonsalves said.

He further laid out the “fighting rules”.

Dr Gonsalves said that he will only hold one rally during this by-election campaign, and campaign for no more than six and a half hours, while Eustace will have no limit to his campaigning.

“I will spend my time in his constituency,” Dr Gonsalves said.

But Eustace has raised the stakes.

In move reminiscent of a Las Vegas high stake poker card game, he challenged Dr Gonsalves to play for all the chips instead.

“It is the Prime Minister who is accused. I am not accused of anything,” Eustace said.

“We have a situation where the entire country is affected,” Eustace said, as he lamented what he termed the “impotence in the Government’s performance” due to the rape allegations hanging over the Prime Minister’s head.

Eustace again made his call for the Prime Minister to step aside until the matter of the rape allegations is dealt with in the courts. (KJ)