There is more development following the dramatic decision of former PNP leadership contender Lisa Hanna to leave representational politics at the end of the current parliamentary term.
Ms Hanna, the Member of Parliament for St. Ann South Eastern, announced her intention not to contest the next general election in a press statement a few minutes before 5 o'clock on Tuesday.
In a dramatic development overnight, sources told Radio Jamaica News that a two-time failed PNP candidate was already in South East St. Ann staking a claim to represent the seat which Lisa Hanna will vacate at the next election.
PNP sources say it is an indication that Ms Hanna was under pressure in the constituency.
In May, former JLP candidate for St. Ann South Eastern, Dr. Ryan Simpson, attended a PNP South Trelawny constituency meeting at the Cedric Titus High School where he met PNP President Mark Golding.
His attendance caused a stir and the party's general secretary, Dr. Dayton Campbell said there was no vacancy in Ms Hanna's constituency.
Ms Hanna had been hand picked by former PNP President and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to represent the party in what was perhaps the safest rural seat held by the party.
She was parachuted in the seat in 2007, but her landing was rocky at best as she was greeted by howls of protests from party members including three of the four councillors in the seat.
Ms Hanna became Member of Parliament in the September 2007 general election.
She narrowly retained the seat in the September 2020 general election in a magisterial recount by 32 votes.
Miss Hanna then challenged Mark Golding for the party leadership in November 2020 losing by 296 votes.
There were attempts since then at reconciliation and on the surface it appeared all was well.
However, senior PNP sources told Radio Jamaica News that Lisa Hanna was having some difficulty with some of the courtiers around the party president.
It's believed she and Mr. Golding had a warm relationship. In fact, she accompanied the party leader on an overseas tour last month.
Some party insiders say there could be some fallout from Lisa Hanna's decision to walk away.
Lisa Hanna was at times one of the most popular figures in the People's National Party.
