• Accuses PNP of using him to divide party

Western Bureau: Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for North Central St. Andrew Karl Samuda has hit back at the People's National Party (PNP) for what he sees as an attempt to use him to divide the JLP.

In its election campaign, the PNP has been giving much airplay to Mr. Samuda speaking from its platform in 1992, hitting out against JLP leader Edward Seaga and calling him a "little despot".

A repentant Mr. Samuda, now back in the fold of the JLP sought to clear the air as he addressed thousands of supporters at a mass rally in Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay on Sunday night, said: "I was separated from the JLP at the end of 1990... for no God Almighty reason other than Bruce Golding did not want me there". At the time, Mr. Golding was chairman of the party.

Mr. Samuda declared that he was "born a Labourite" and because "every single ounce of blood in my body" represents the JLP, "when I was thrown out of the party because of our difference, I was angry and vex, and I felt humiliated as a result of that."

He said he made no pretense that "when you get angry - if you are a good Jamaican man - yu get angry when t'ings hurt yu bad! An' it hurt me bad, because I was separated from the thing that meant more to me than life itself!"

He sat in Parliament as an independent member for 18 months but realised that he could not serve as he liked standing alone. The alternative at that time was the PNP "and Michael Manley invited me to join him, and... it is the biggest single mistake of my life."

Mr. Samuda said he took the invitation because he wanted to be part of a political process, "because at a time when people are talking about politicians, let me tell you that is one politician who is very proud to be a politician. I believe that to be politician is the most noble profession for any man or woman to serve in."

He said the PNP caught him at a weak moment in his life and that his wife threatened to leave him if he did not go back to the JLP "and I couldn't let that happen".

To loud cheers, Mr. Samuda said he told the PNP, "to hell with you, I am going back to Edward Seaga if he will have me."

Lauding Mr. Seaga for his forgiving nature, Mr. Samuda declared: "And I confess to you Labourites tonight, and to all Jamaica, and I apologise unequivocally to Jamaica and my Jamaican brethren and sistren."

The issue also evoked comment from Mr. Seaga. He said instead of saying what Mr. Samuda said five years ago, "they should be telling us what they have been doing for eight long years".

He charged that "after they wrecked the country, now they're saying they are bringing it back to where it was eight years ago."