?He is back! And Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley will take centre stage at today's presentation of PNM candidates at Woodford Square in Port-of-Spain. Rowley will not only share the political platform with Prime Minister Patrick Manning, but has also been given speaking time on the programme. It will be the first time in two years that Manning and Rowley will be coming together in solidarity since he was dismissed as Trade and Industry Minister in 2008. All doubts and fears of Rowley being axed from the party, following the cancellation of a cottage meeting in his constituency, were quashed yesterday. Sunday Guardian learnt from reliable sources that the party's Public Relations Officer Jerry Narace announced at a private meeting at Manning's San Fernando East constituency office yesterday that Rowley was among speakers who will be delivering special remarks at the official presentation of the party's 41 candidates. Also listed to deliver comments is Arima candidate Laurel Lezama-Lee Sing who replaces Deputy Speaker Pennelope Beckles. Outgoing Princes Town South/Tabeland MP Peter Taylor, who is out of the race, has been given the task to introduce the candidates. A youth speaker is also listed on the agenda, with Manning scheduled to delivered the feature address.
The source said: Manning told those present at yesterday's meeting to " let the healing begin." The source said: "The healing process has definitely begun in the PNM. The Prime Minister made the first step by allowing Rowley to fight his seat and he must be commended for this. There is no stopping this PNM at all. Like all political parties we all have wrangling but when it is time to come together we cement our forces. "Rowley has a following like no other candidate within this party. He alone can win three seats on his own. He is strong and is the one person that can safely ensure that Tobago stays to the PNM." However, when Sunday Guardian contacted Rowley yesterday he was unable to speak because he was in the middle of meeting only briefly saying: "I am busy, very busy. I cannot speak now." Sources said each constituency was asked to bring 1,000 supporters as the party targets a gathering of 41,000. Sunday Guardian learnt that up to late last evening there was a mad rush to secure transportation for constituents.
No plot
?Information Minister Neil Parsanlal is denying any plot or conspiracy to bring down United National Congress chairman Jack Warner. Parsanlal dismissed Warner's claims that the government was using taxpayers money to have British journalist Andrew Jennings fabricate a story to defame him. "The government does not need a conspiracy to bring down anybody. We have an election to win, Parsanlal said as he left the meeting yesterday." Manning refused to take any questions before and after the three-hour long meeting yesterday saying only: "I am here to meet with my candidates, that's my purpose for being here. I will talk at Woodford Square." Manning later met with some of his constituents at the Pleasantville Basketball Court. The meeting was closed to the media.