At first glance on Tuesday, it seemed the House of Representatives was still in operation. MPs Prakash Ramadhar, Stacy Roopnarine, Winston Peters and Vernella Alleyne-Toppin were present in the Senate, "guesting" to reply to Opposition questions on the agenda. With the proclamation in place for the proroguing of Parliament at midnight last night, however, the House and Senate have ended their first session of the Parliament's five-year term. And storm clouds of probes on the horizon regarding both Government and Opposition issues already hint at a stormy second session ahead. The first session also ended with some personal grief for Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar whose husband Dr Gregory Bissessar was receiving cardiac treatment yesterday.
The second session starts June 27 following a lacklustre performance from both Government and Opposition in the first session. Government bested the PNM's (lousy) record in answering questions on the parliamentary agen-da. But Government's lack of for- mal legislative agenda and haphazard Parliament scheduling has put it on par with PNM in the latter area. Attorney General Anand Ramlogan-whose division traditionally handles the legislative agenda -currently appears more occupied with making good on election promises in areas outside the Parliament. Ramlogan has signalled intention to pursue PNMites including ex-energy "czar" Ken Julien and others involved in past administration projects. It would, however, be cold comfort to the Opposition-as Senator Fitzgerald Hinds reinforced Tuesday-that Government is doing much of the same which the PP had accused the PNM Government of.
Indeed, Government has recruited forensic auditor Bob Lindquist to probe allegations against ex-Udecott head Calder Hart and former Prime Minister Patrick Manning, hoping to lay groundwork for civil proceedings against them. Manning in 2009 recruited Lindquist to probe the Cleaver Heights project done during the tenure of ex-Minister Keith Rowley-with whom he was at odds at the time.
A year after the PP made Manning and Hart its 2010 election campaign poster boys for alleged corruption, Government is now hard-pressed on its own myriad political issues and performance as well as "to produce" regarding the duo. Months after Ramlogan made it clear he was aware people were frustrated at non-action, Government has started moves to settle political scores on taxpayers' behalf.
PM at centre of 2 probes
The list of PNM probes Ramlogan outlined still overshoots the number of investigations on Government's own side. As of yesterday, there are now two Integrity probes involving the Prime Minister: concerning her stay at the Gopauls' Tunapuna house last May, as well as the source of funding for her own southern residence. Works Minister Jack Warner is under scrutiny abroad and at home and Integrity Commission officials continued the Mary King probe at the Planning Ministry last week, interviewing evaluation team members.
Neither Ramlogan nor others have responded to Hinds' call in the Senate last December for the Police Commissioner to say which minister is being investigated for allegedly seeking to pervert the course of justice. That issue remains open-ended. PNM's Hinds, pursuing that issue, has also started formulating questions for Ramlogan about the people appointed to undertake the probes of the past PNM projects. Hinds is also going after their remuneration and details of the investigations. On Warner's side, unlike weeks prior to the FIFA charges when he was constantly at Persad-Bissessar's side opening projects, Warner now keeps a fairly low profile.
Warner has already "taken in front" of any action, hinting if he had to choose between FIFA and Government, it would be the latter. Whether Warner will be in a position to choose remains to unfold in the same way Persad-Bis-sessar's promised (June) Cabinet realignment is awaiting outcome of FIFA's probe. Outside of Government's glossy spotlight at this week's business forums, its highest profile came in the area of its strongest suit. Platforming last weekend, putting Tobagonians on early election alert for campaigning towards THA's 2013 polls. The strength of Government's power play with the THA last weekend was obviously commensurate with the sting Government must have felt during Persad-Bis-sessar's previous visit to Tobago in May.
Then, she was confronted at one point by placards stating "No disrespect for Tobago," displayed by pro-THA supporters During last week's trip, Persad-Bissessar retorted with a move to entrench government-granted Cepep projects and reactivate the OPM division in the PNM-controlled THA territory-signalling unofficial start to campaigning and increased PP presence. TOP leader Ashworth Jack said the Tobago branch of the PM's office was dormant since the May 2010 elections and Persad-Bissessar's move to reactivation "has obviously scared" PNM.
Only 1 COP leadership candidate open to PNM
COP deputy Prakash Ramadhar surprised reporters in Parliament during Tuesday's Senate when he came armed with printed copies of his reply to an Opposition question-an unusual occurrence for a minister. Ramadhar, now campaigning for COP leadership, didn't stick around to explain the unusually generous act. Nor has his fellow COPer Anil Roberts said how he feels about escaping Parliament's Privileges Committee (on the Nicki Minaj lyrics issue) since the commit-tee's work on that lapsed with yesterday's proroguing of the House. COP's leadership contenders have, however, been amply airing opinions of each other at debates in the leadership election, much to the dismay of COP officials.
The innovation of election rules went awry on Monday in La Brea with candidates calling each other out on various issues.
It left COP's hierarchy red- faced since the rules, designed to prevent fragmentation, morphed into a mechanism facilitating this. The situation called into question not only candidates' capabilities, but also COP's credibility, potential and stability. A key issue in debate-which may shape COP's future success or failure-is that of PNM links. Roberts, who is Government's second loudest parliamentary cannon against the PNM next to Jack Warner, doesn't favour ties. Ramadhar has taken a similar position to the UNC when links with other parties have been discussed: absorption and (in this case) the PNM would have to "join" COP. Vernon de Lima is open to keeping COP's doors open. Nalini Dial wants wider COP consultation on it.
A year of Rowley leadership, but...
Today's PNM General Council may (or may not) recall that its previous executive a year ago had officially confirmed Keith Rowley as political leader unopposed. Then, Rowley had said the development was the realisation of "a load put on your shoulders to discharge." On June 27, officially installed as leader at a PNM convention, Row-ley said there was no deadline for changes and he encouraged members to speak up without fear of victimisation. He later also said his leadership would see more members speaking on issues, apart from him. Now a year later, the ratings for Rowley's skill at steering PNM to comeback capability in Opposition has been almost as negative as the thumbs down his party has given Government's performance.
Rowley's leadership has been perceived as plodding regarding rapid response in calling Government to book on issues despite the political gift-horse(s) presented by the PP's faux pas. His call for PNMites to "return" has been heeded by 1,500, the party confirmed yesterday. Latest new members ratified by PNM's central executive last Wednesday included Rohan Sinanan, who became deputy leader in March-ahead of the formalising of his membership. Staving off rumours of an aborted no-confidence motion four months after he took leadership, Rowley's team has however also been perceived as failing to successfully manage the situation regarding ex-leader Manning.
Manning, who was absent from PNM's "family" at Manzanilla last Sunday, was invited to address QRC students on Wednesday. A youth group yesterday obtained an Integrity Commission probe regarding the source of funding of the PM's south house based on statements Manning made on this. While continuing support for Manning in some quarters has caused PNM concerns about division, the situation has also lent to the perception Government may be moving against him to thwart any growing lobby.
Manning's suspension from Parliament has ended with Parliament's proroguing. Following the session's end and lapse of matters, Rowley, meanwhile, has "escaped" Privileges scrutiny concerning statements on the AG.
Since news that Rowley will attend next month's London CPA conference, Manning is yet to say if he will follow through on his initial intention to attend (to speak about the need for legal representation for MPs in privileges issues). PNM deputy leader London believes both men can work out the situation and should talk. London added: "But before talking, they need to ask themselves if they're doing everything right to ensure that when they talk, it'll lead to a beneficial solution for PNM and T&T... both are committed to party and country. In the final analysis, it depends on them."
T&T Political Dictionary ©
"One Leader"-Politically correct (PNMism) for "We Business".
"Family Day"-What the one-time Father of the Nation blanks to attend an old boys' reunion (last Sunday-Presentation College versus PNM in Manzanilla).
" Family Day"-What UNC's southern arm holds today-a week after PNM's Family Day.
"Duck L'Orville", "Mango a la Marlene" and "Sada Roti Rowley"-Expected dishes in the Curry Duck and Sada Roti competition at tomor-row's UNC Family Day.
...After last Sunday's PNM Family Day fea-tured "The Kamla" (vodka-laced fruit punch), "Jack in the Pot" (oil down) and "Anandloo" (stew pork 'n' potato).
"London Bridge"-The road via which the PP Government is less likely to travel to Tobago.
"Jimmy Choos"-The spikiest of heels which the PM must have worn to Tobago last week to stamp her authority all over (THA leader Orville London).
"Political Disadvantage"-London is at, not because he isn't politically well heeled enough due to PNM's Opposition status-but simply because he doesn't wear heels.
"People's Partnership"-Works Minister War-ner and PNM MP Marlene McDonald together resolving Laventille taxi drivers' issues (Wednesday).
"Stick"-That which Marlene received online from some PNM colleagues for working with "Action Man" Jack.
"Action, Man!"-What Chuck Blazer may call on FIFA for, regarding Warner.
"35/5"-Not the number of the times PNM Senator Fitzgerald Hinds has imputed improper motive, rather the Parliament Standing Order which signals if he has.
"Mr 35/5"-aka PP Senate leader Subhas Panday.
"Go wit it..."-Hindism of resignation after being Panday'ed. Again (Tuesday in Senate).
"Red Bull"-Big-bovine status which didn't give Hinds' self-esteem wings to fly after PP Senator David Abdulah called him such (also Tuesday).
"Faris Husam Salman Hussein al Rawi"-PNM senator often called "Al-Wari" by PP sena-tors. Self-confessed "man of Iraq and man of T&T" (on Tuesday).
"Wind to Conclusion"-Not quite wining to the side in debate, but eventually ending up there by supporting either Government or Opposition.
"Resident Protocologist"-Which may be necessary in the second Parliament session con-sidering the number of probes ahead and the $@#^ that may be unearthed.