Even as he left the Chaguanas West seat behind in the House of Representatives yesterday, Jack Warner was still the centre of attention, handshakes, hugs and smiles from some PP colleagues.Warner, who came to the Parliament to hear the seat being declared vacant, sat in the public gallery. He rose to field handshakes from MPs Jairam Seemungal, Nela Khan, Stacy Roopnarine, Ramona Ramnarine and Collin Partap who came over to him. He bearhugged Fuad Khan: "This is my brother, my real brother..." Warner said.
Other PP MPs present–including acting National Security Minister Clifton de Coteau and Tim Gopeesingh–didn't do likewise. Nor did PP's Suruj Rambachan, sitting opposite Warner across the benches, look up at him. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar arrived well after Warner left the building around 1.42 pm. PNM MPs observed everything in amusement.
The polls are expected early August ahead of the Muslim Ramadan season. For transparency–and the screening team's credibility–Rambachan obviously has to recuse himself from the team following Warner's allegations since Rambachan's presence will fuel perception of possible influence if Warner's nomination is blanked.At Warner's launch last Sunday he telegraphed (increasingly) mixed messages to former colleagues and boss.
While showing "loyalty" to his boss, he lashed a former colleague and began dividing the party, using the help of Councillor Alvin Lutchman whose allegations subsequently caused a rift in his Princes Town corporation. Warner also prepped local government unhopefuls to follow his lead and submit nominations to the UNC.Statements by both revealed how deep the 2009 Warner-Rambachan rift ran, when the former ousted the latter from the Chaguanas mayorship. After Rambachan, some in UNC may be wondering who's next.
Playing to a Hindu audience with statements about Hanuman (and to mothers via promise of gifts to all such in the area tomorrow), Warner's remarks about helping the PM in the east-west corridor appeared more of a warning about PP's position there without his presence, in the same way he reminded, "no man is bigger than the party..."Warner bought himself further facetime with voters by promising a report from his lawyers "that'll make you bawl..."
And more reproach than an attempt at guilt-tripping the PM, he also conjured up images of "holding her hand" several years ago when No Woman No Cry played during her outs with the Panday leadership.Ditto for his remark that he was "in some way responsible for every one or them in Government today, even Suruj..."
Just how much the PP took on the Jackattack was telegraphed eloquently and loudly via not necessarily spoken replies at Monday's UNC forum.By virtue of the fact it was held in Rambachan's constituency, where some of Warner's perceived supporters (like Roberts) spoke and where Persad-Bissessar pointedly signalled her position of putting country before any counterpart, Warner's name wasn't mentioned once.
Meant to assure members PP was, as the musical theme reinforced, solid as a Rock, despite Warner's actions, the high profile of Errol Mcleod and other Afro-Trini supporters on the platform gave lie to the view Warner was UNC's chief Afro-Trini representative.PP's Rudy Indarsingh warned members to be "ready to defend" the PM and party "in any election or any battle to come." Clearly, including Jackattack.
In a contest where the PP has everything to lose and Warner has already lost so much, use of his seat to validate his credibility–on representation–won't eliminate questions that arise about his other issues. While the MSJ had signalled interest in contesting, David Abdulah said Thursday MSJ won't contest. He agreed Chaguanas West residents have become pawns in the PP power struggle.
A COP spokesman said its Chaguanas West unit submitted several nominations and discussions will be held with partners on candidacy.PNM, amid the impending PP battle has earned a hall pass from scrutiny, enjoying it while the rift endures. The last Opposition press conference, once every two weeks initially, was in mid-April, PNM's Ashton Ford confirmed.