Monday D-Day for Demos

The clearest indication yet of a rift in the Democratic Party has surfaced with a squabble among the top officials in the party over the question of when the party conference should be held.
Party President Makiuti Tongia has already indicated that holding a conference after the election was one of the Demo Party conditions put to the four rebel Ministers in the Marurai government for their return to the party fold.
It has also been interpreted as a safeguard in case of any attempt to remove Sir Terepai as party leader prior to the election.
The Times understands a meeting was scheduled at the DPM’s office on Tuesday of party officials however Tongia did not show up. It is not known if Party Leader Sir Terepai Maoate was present.
However, the Times has learnt that a quorum of those who did show up have exercised their rights under the party’s constitution and called for another meeting.
The Democratic Party faithful will be put to the test when Demo Constituency (Puna) Committee Members meet at Tereora Princess Anne Hall at 4.30pm on Monday 12 April 2010.
The issues to be discussed at the meeting is to gain a consensus as to whether or not to convene Demo Conference and if so, the date, time and venue for the Conference.
Factions say the rift between the two factions is ‘getting out of control’ with many Party members now expressing their concern at the way Party President is handling the matter with his frequent media pronouncements about ultimatums and sackings and so on. Such pronouncements can only hurt the standing of the Demo Party in the eyes of the community and could reflect badly in the General Election which is due to be called by no later than September 2010.
They are also very disappointed over the Toa Petroleum issue which has shaken their confidence in the former DPM and caused them to reconsider their position as to who should be Party Leader.
They see a clear need for everyone to sit down and discuss the way forward – together.
The meeting is being attributed to Assistant President Sean Willis with the blessing and support of electorates who are still loyal to the former DPM but who want to bring the two factions back together.
The outcome of the meeting will be crucial to what steps to take toward to reconciliation between the two factions or whether there will be a permanent split.

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