This means the JLP now has six members in the council while the PNP has three.

Rumours first emerged yesterday that Dukharan would make the switch, and this morning it was confirmed that he had applied months ago to become a member of the PNP.

Dukharan’s change of allegiance could prove to be a significant blow to the JLP in the upcoming polls.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Labour Party general secretary, Audre Franklyn, said the party was aware Gulab Dukharran would not be representing it in the upcoming local government elections.

He said he does not think the party will be significantly affected by Dukharran’s decision to join the PNP.

While the party managed a virtual sweep of the 2007 local government elections, winning seven of the nine divisions, the council was not always that widely divided.

In fact, the council had been a PNP controlled one up to the 2007 general elections.

The PNP had lost the council in the 2003 elections but later regained it after Benny White, who was elected on a JLP ticket for the Fellowship division, switched his allegiance to the PNP.

The JLP had won five of the nine council seats while the PNP won four

However, when White switched the PNP took control and White became mayor of Port Antonio.