Independent Parlia-mentarian Abe Dabdoub is among three persons who have emerged as likely candidates for the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) in the vacant West Portland constituency in the next general elections.

Donald Buchanan, the PNP general-secretary, confirmed that Dabdoub’s name has surfaced among comrades in the constituency. So too have Kenneth Rowe, who contested the 2002 election for the JLP, and attorney Valrie Neita Robertson.

Dabdoub left the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in a huff over direction, but has remained on the fringes of the PNP since March when he stepped away from the Opposition party, claiming he was being undermined by the leadership.

Although he has not officially applied for membership in the PNP, Dabdoub has made no secret of his support for the PNP and its president and prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller.

However, Buchanan said that Dabdoub was not a member of the PNP, and “for him to be accepted to run on the party’s ticket, he would have to apply for membership, which the party would consider”.

Party insiders say members of the PNP’s campaign team have held talks with Dabdoub, but the Observer could not ascertain the outcome of the meeting.

Dabdoub won the St Catherine North Eastern seat on a JLP ticket in the 2002 general elections. After leaving the party, he retained his seat as an Independent Member of Parliament, where he frequently lashes the JLP and praises the PNP.

He created a stir by attending the PNP’s 68th annual conference in September this year when he received an enthusiastic reception on the platform, along with a number of other former Labourites who have now switched allegiances.

The PNP was left without a candidate for Portland West after the sudden resignation of Doreen Campbell-Forbes two months ago. It is one of only two constituencies for which the PNP has not yet named a candidate.

Buchanan said that PNP vice president, Dr Fenton Ferguson has “the immediate responsibility of working towards the selection of a candidate for the constituency”.

Abe Dabdoub is presented to PNP supporters by party president and prime minister Portia Simpson Miller at the PNP’s 68th annual conference in Kingston in September.