tussle.

It was reported that Charles Jeffers -- chairman of the National Liberal Party -- may be challenged for the top job at the party's annual general meeting, expected to be held in the next three weeks.

But ex-chairman Gilbert Darrell yesterday all but ruled out a bid to reclaim the party's top job.

He said: "I don't think so -- I don't think that I would want that.'' He added, however: "If there was going to be a contest, it might be Charles and someone else. That could be -- there could be other people interested.'' Mr. Darrell also kept his own options open, admitting if the backing was there, he might risk a run.

He said: "I would consider it -- things happen and we will just have to wait and see.'' Party spokesman Graeme Outerbridge said: "Maybe these reports are coming from some disgruntled members who have said something -- certainly nobody on the executive appears to be standing.'' But he added: "You never know -- the a.g.m. is coming up and all posts are up for election.'' Mr. Jeffers said that he would contest any party leadership battle.

He said: "I've spoken to Gilbert and he didn't indicate anything about running.

"And I don't know if anybody else is thinking about it -- but I would welcome that challenge. It's nice to see people interested.'' And Mr. Jeffers -- two years in the job -- added: "I'm a team player and whatever people decide they want is fine.

"I'm guided to a large extent by the will of the people and the people who vote at the AGM will vote for what they want.

"And my nose would not be out of joint if someone else was chosen as leader.

I had planned to continue and I don't see any reason why I should not.'' The party's AGM is pencilled in for April 21 -- likely to be the last NLP get together before the General Election.

The party -- born out of internal warfare in the Opposition Progressive Labour Party -- lost its last MP at the 1993 General Election and has been struggling ever since.

It has had a poor showing in the two by-election contests it has contested in recent times.

Mr. Jeffers admitted in January that the party could field as few as five candidates in the General Election, likely to be held in the autumn -- despite aiming for 12 to 15 would-be MPs.

And the entire future of the NLP was in doubt after Mr. Jeffers slumped in Devonshire South in May last year.

Mr. Jeffers trailed in last in a three-horse race, with just nine percent of the vote.

Before the election he said he needed around a quarter of the vote to maintain the party's credibility -- but a crunch meeting of the party faithful later vowed to battle on.

And Graeme Outerbridge flopped in the Pembroke West by-election in November last year, caused by United Bermuda Party MP David Dyer's decision to quit politics.

Mr. Outerbridge was thrashed into third place with only 3.2 percent of the electorate backing the NLP.

The NLP did not field candidates in subsequent by-elections in Pembroke West and Hamilton East -- the seat Mr. Darrell lost in 1993.

Charles Jeffers Graphic file name: JEFF