People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley is moving quickly and quietly to put out several small fires within the party, the latest being his own tussle with former leader Patrick Manning. The party’s general secretary Ashton Ford said that Rowley only yesterday received the formal statement by Manning which was posted earlier on his social media page. Ford detailed a component of the PNM’s constitution which stated that nominations had to be sent to the general secretary.
Nominations for Manning’s constituency has been extended to December 22. While not speaking directly to the fall out between Manning and Rowley, Ford said the consequences of flouting the PNM’s by-laws was expulsion.
The Sunday Guardian understands that Rowley has refused to ever have a private meeting with the former prime minister. Party insiders said Manning “has a habit” of saying one thing in private meetings with Rowley, but then posting a different story on his social media page. They claimed that was the real reason behind the call for Manning to meet with the party executive and not Rowley alone, at Balisier House, last week.
“Manning kept saying it was a disciplinary meeting, but he was really meeting with the party executive almost to have witnesses around,” one insider said. The two met three times in private, which coincides with posts from Manning on social media.
The Sunday Guardian was told that Manning asked Rowley for “five minutes” of his time at Parliament on Friday and when Rowley refused to comply, Manning took to his Facebook page on Friday to announce he had doctors’ appointments for the rest of the year and would not be available to the screening committee until January 3.
This after the PNM already extended Mannings’ San Fernando East screening deadline to December 15, and again yesterday to December 22. Party insiders said they are “not likely” to change their minds because of what they described as Manning’s “high-handed approach.”
General Secretary of the PNM, Ashton Ford, yesterday said that Rowley was expected to respond to Manning’s statement “soon.”
Elias takes Imbert to Integrity Commission
The Sunday Guardian understands that MP Colm Imbert is also a cause for concern for the party. Imbert has been brought before the Integrity Commission by businessman and contractor Emile Elias, who filed a “cause for concern” at the Commission on November 24. The letter was received by the commission on November 27.
The Sunday Guardian was told that the letter asked the commission to investigate lands allegedly owned by Imbert in the exclusive Moka area, just opposite the Moka Golf Course. The lands, according to the letter, was purchased by Imbert back in 2003, and there was a massive amount of logistical work to divert the Maraval River which originally ran through it. Elias’ letter questions whether Imbert was the minister of works during that time.
But the Sunday Guardian learnt on Friday that diverting the Maraval River off Imbert’s land actually took place during the time that party chairman Franklin Khan was in charge of the Ministry of Works from 2002-2005. “That actually caused the both of them to fall out for years, they only just start to talk,” party insiders said. Khan, the Sunday Guardian understands, was approached by Imbert but refused to work with him as they were Cabinet ministers.
The Sunday Guardian was also told that it could impact Imbert’s chances for the Diego Martin North East seat. “Even though he passed screening committee unopposed, he still has to get the nod from the central executive,” a senior party official confirmed.
Amery’s seat up for grabs
Diego Martin MP Amery Browne may not be retained when screening for his seat comes up next year, the Sunday Guardian was told. The Sunday Guardian understands that while Browne may pass the screening committee, several unhappy constituents have signalled their intention to thwart his bid for re-election. Browne, in an interview yesterday, said that there were more than 40,000 residents in his constituency and not everyone would be happy with him for one reason or another.
Browne said he interfaces with a majority of constituents who report that they are “proud” of how he represents them both in and out of the Parliament.
“In general, the constituents find me highly accessible and responsive, even though I may not always be able to solve all of their problems instantly. But as you would find in many constituencies, there exists a minuscule internal cabal who call themselves PNM but whose aim is really to own and totally control elected officials,” he said.
“This small clique always view themselves as the real powerbrokers and tend to propagate what they view as the spoils of power: ghost gangs, manipulation of contracts, and other rackets that have become a sad part of our local politics,” he said. He said some of the people whose “names they tend to float might even be trying to buy their way into the Parliament, and sadly some of them cannot even speak standard English.”
The Sunday Guardian was informed that Hinds has been tipped for the Laventille West seat. He is expected to replace Ni Leung Hypolite. Speaking to the media on Friday, during the Joint Trade Union Movement march, Hinds confirmed that he has been approached by several constituencies and is “considering his options.” When asked if Laventille West was on the agenda for him, he said, “I am considering it, yes.”
pnm approved candidates
Diego Martin West Dr Keith Rowley
Mayaro Clarence Rambharat
St Joseph Terrence Deyalsingh
Couva South Councillor Alif Mohammed
San Fernando West Faris Al-Rawi
La Horquetta/ Talparo Maxie Cuffie
D’Abadie/ O’Meara Brig Ancil W Antoine
Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West Stuart Young
Pointe-a-Pierre Neil Mohammed
Oroupuche East Terry Shaun Jadoonanan
Lopinot/Bon Air West Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn
St Augustine Alisha S Romano
Diego Martine N/East Colm Imbert
Port-of-Spain South Marlene Mc Donald
Chaguanas East Diane Baldeo-Chadeesingh
Chaguanas West Abbegail Nandalal
St Ann’s East Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly
