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The governing party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that it is not intimidated by the emergence of the National Democratic Party (NDP), the new political party allegedly owned by the Former First Family, the Rawlingses. The formation of this new political party, finally put paid to months of speculations that former cadres and activists of the NDC were thinking of breaking away from the NDC out of frustration and the neglect of some core values and principles of the NDC. And open confessions by a former NDC parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso Central, Dr. Ofei Agyeman, that most of the founding members of the party are disgruntled members of the NDC settled the matter. The Electoral Commission has meanwhile confirmed the receipt of relevant documents from leaders of the NDP and was assessing the colours and symbols of the new party to ensure they do not conflict with those of existing political parties. But speaking in an interview on PeaceFM�s �Kokrokoo� Morning Show and Okay FM�s Ade Akye Abia programme, the NDCs National Organiser revealed that the formation of this new party does not come to the NDC as a surprise. �We heard of plans aimed at forming a new political party by some NDC cadres during the July National Delegates Congress in Sunyani,� Yaw Boateng Gyan said. According to him, the emergence of splinter groups and breakaway factions forming new political parties from within the NDC is gradually becoming a tradition. He added that the ruling party has been faced with similar challenges before, and yet was able to prevail. �We heard the formation of the new party, NDP long time ago�formation of breakaway parties from the NDC now seem to be the norm�I know of the Goosie Tanoh�s separation after the Swedru declaration which affected the electoral fortunes of the NDC in 2000�but the Koforidua declaration which saw former NDC National Chairman, Obed Asamoah and others forming another party rather helped us to work hard to regain power,� he said.