The congress, the highest decision making forum of the party, follows on the heels of a similar event held by the ruling People's Progressive Party in which there was a demonstrated show of unity and vote of confidence in President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The PNC's cannot be so sure about its internal unity and support for its leader. Mr. Desmond Hoyte, who has been at the helm of the party since the untimely demise of the late founder leader of the PNC, Mr. Forbes Burnham, has been under much pressure to demit the leadership of the party which he has held for more than 17 years, in the process suffering three consecutive electoral defeats at the hands of the PPP.

There have been numerous calls both within and outside of the party for Mr. Hoyte to make way for a successor. The issue was shelved at the last congress but is likely to be reopened once again.

In recent times too internal schisms have appeared within the PNC. Following the terrible events of July 3, one of the aspiring leaders of the party, attorney-at-law, Mr. Raphael Trotman said that the PNC must take some blame for what happened that day. He was chastised for making these remarks and later the leadership implicitly suggested that his statement in no way reflected the position of the party.

The condemnations of the July 3 event also saw the Reform component coming out against the attacks and calling for dialogue with the Government, something that the leadership of the PNC does not seem presently inclined to.

At this congress, Mr. Hoyte is likely to be challenged for the leadership of the party. It is hardly possible that the delegates will want to defer again on this important issue, especially considering the need for certainty over the future leadership of the party.

Political observers will also be keen to learn as to the position the PNC will take towards the incumbent government and whether it will openly embrace the calls for a resumption of the dialogue with the government.

Also, will it return to Parliament to represent its constituents and advance the many outstanding constitutional matters aimed at enhancing good governance and inclusiveness?

Confrontation has hurt the party's image both locally and internationally. Civil society wants a political climate more conducive to political accommodation and compromise and the PNC's histrionics in the streets have certainly contributed, in no small part, to the decline in public and social order.

The public will also be eager to hear whether the PNC will stop being ambivalent on the crime situation and openly condemn not only the numerous criminal attacks but also those who carry out these missions.

The PNC has much to gain by not only decrying the crime situation but lending its voice to efforts to encourage public support to end the crime wave and for the communities from whence the party draws its support to help in fighting crime.