Updated 11.25am, adds Adrian Delia's comments
The Nationalist Party became more fragmented under Adrian Delia, leader challenger Bernard Grech told Times of Malta on Thursday, saying he was ready to deliver the unity that members longed for.
Grech, who once supported Delia, but will soon face him in a one-on-one leadership contest, has rarely been so openly critical about the incumbent’s tenure.
But should Grech win the election, the door was open to Delia to have a unifying role within the party, Grech said.
In a question and answer session with the Times of Malta newsroom, the lawyer said the lack of unity within the party was Delia’s biggest failing but that he had the right qualities to fix what was wrong.
“Delia had many opportunities to help the party unite. He had difficulties, as we all do, but the worst thing he and the people around him did was let the siege mentality grow.
“It started before Delia’s time but it became worse during his tenure. People want a unified party.”
Grech said the party was in a delicate phase and drastic measures needed to be taken.
“With my experience in mediation, I feel I would be a good candidate to try to help this party heal. I will not do it alone and everybody must be on board working towards one goal, even with the help of professionals.
“Together, we need to build a party that could be an alternative to government.”
Delia, he added, should remain active within the party and help unite it.
“He has an important role to play. I don’t want any of his followers to go away. We need to come together and he needs to participate. This depends on him but if he still has the party and people at heart, he can make this extra effort to make this happen.
“I would not like to put people in pigeonholes,” he said when asked what specific role he might take.
“I know Delia can help.”
Read the whole interview here.
Reacting on Facebook, Delia wondered why Grech started his campaign "on such a negative critical note".
"Maybe it’s his advisors from pre-2013 who don’t know otherwise," he said in an obvious dig at former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who is advising Grech.
Delia said he will instead share a friendly word of advice adding that while unity was what both he and Grech wanted, it was not what those who anointed Grech wanted.
Their intention, he said, was simply "to oust a democratically elected leader they don’t control".
He noted that Grech pondered whether he (Delia) still had the party at heart.
"Well it’s a bit more than that actually. Bernard Grech, I gave this party everything I had and am. My career, my passion, my life. Everything. My heart and soul," Delia said.
He ended his note on a call fro unity - "me, you and all those eager prospects which we were about to announce as being the next generation PN. And all those of goodwill, within and outside the PN that want you to join the cause but not on the reins of those behind you".