Former opposition leader Michael Baptiste, who was once elected to parliament on a Grenada United Labour Party ticket, has called on GULP supporters to vote for the National Democratic Congress in the July 8 general election.
 
Baptiste, who is also a former New National Party cabinet minister, says the GULP is oganisationally unprepared for next month's poll.

 
"We, the supporters of the GULP, must come out in our numbers and ensure that the NNP goes,'' Baptiste urged.  "Let us vote solidly for the NDC.  We are Gairyites that going to vote for NDC.''
 
Baptiste said casting a ballot for GULP in the upcoming election is wasting a vote, which may cause the NNP to "slip through'' and win.
 
The former MP, who says he is still a GULP member, has committed to lending his support to the "serious efforts'' now underway by the NDC to defeat the NNP.
 
Baptiste promises his personal involvement, including platform appearances, in the campaign of Pastor Karl Hood, NDC candidate for St. George South-East.  The constituency is being held by NNP's Gregory Bowen, Deputy Prime Minister.
 
"I will be lending support to his (Hood's) efforts in ousting Gregory Bowen from office,'' he said.  "Come July 9th, we going to get together and we go rebuild our party (GULP).''
 
NDC General Secretary Peter David has said that the National Democratic Congress welcomes everyone "into the fold'' of the party.
 
"There are many persons who are coming to the NDC because they have recognized the ills of the NNP,'' David said Thursday night at a constituency meeting on H.A. Blaize Street.
 
"I want to say to you supporters of the NDC to welcome the people coming to the NDC.  Welcome them into the fold of the NDC because they have seen the light and they want a more just and prosperous Grenada, just like all of us.''
 
David said as an NDC victory draw closers, party supporters should be on the look out for NNP provocation.
 
"They are going to try to provoke violence because they believe that if they provoke violence, we would be blamed for it,'' said David, who is seeking re-election in the Town of St. George.
 
He added: "I urge all members of the NDC that, if they provoke you, that you walk away.  We know that on July 8 we will be victorious.  So don't let them provoke you, Brothers and Sisters.  Let us keep focus on the prize.''