The ugly scenes that characterized the NPP primaries in the Bekwai constituency in the run up to the 2008 elections resurfaced over the weekend leading to the abrupt end of a meeting organised the party’s regional officers. Nhyira FM’s Ohemeng Tawiah reports the meeting ground was invaded by a group of well built men allegedly hired by the constituency chairman C.O. Atta. The men were said to have attacked one of the participants who they accused of making an uncharitable comment against the chairman. The scene turned more violent after dozens of other people present reacted prompting the immediate invitation of the buffalo unit of the police service in Kumasi to maintain law and order. The police managed to free the constituency chairman who had been held hostage by the party supporters. The meeting was said to have ended abruptly, but the war of words continued unabated. C.O. Atta accused the MP of the area, Joe Osei Owusu of masterminding the attacks on him. He alleged similar attacks and threats to burn down his rented apartment during the 2008 election led to his eviction from his house. Even though Joe Osei Owusu won the seat as an independent candidate, efforts have been made by the party’s regional executives to build bridges between the two factions in the constituency. But CO Atta maintains the MP cannot be considered as a member of the party and has threatened legal action against him with the intention of seeking a bye election in the constituency. But campaign manager of the MP, Adu Gyamfi dismissed the claim, saying a vote of no confidence has been passed against the chairman for bringing along ‘macho’ men to terrorise party members. Play the attached audio for excerpts of the exchanges Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana