PNM chairman Franklin Khan's opening statements at Wednesday's PNM Macoya Divali celebration noted that Divali transcends politics.
However, the political climate was clearly reflected at the Macoya activities as well as among some PP statements at that night's Divali Nagar with which PNM's event clashed.
Election pitch continued outside of Parliament (which resumes late next week), at points during the Nagar programme located in the UNC heartland, and in PNM's event, in the East-West corridor (soon to be the main general election battleground) as each side targeted the Indo T&T audience, striving to bolster their respective national images.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar's Nagar address, outlining government's tenure and challenges including the latest Kublalsingh conundrum and some civil-society groups use of that as cover to air disenchantment with the PP and disregard for law and order.
She mounted a personal lobby for the "light of participative democracy" PP has lit, not to be extinguished. She acknowledged ministers work, calling those present to come onstage. Dismissed minister Glenn Ramadharsingh was among those heeding that call.
The NCIC received a $2m boost from Government that night. Whether it will be the last from the PP Government or Persad-Bissessar's last Nagar address–as Khan predicted the PNM would be the Government by Divali 2015–remains to unfold.
While the spiritual element prevailed on the Nagar programme, PNM's focus was entertainment: tassa competitions, parading queens.
Campaign fever clearly carried some away. At 9.05 pm Khan spoke of "hundreds" at Macoya. At 9.11 pm PRO Faris Al-Rawi, hosting the televised segment, boasted of "thousands." Khan said leader Keith Rowley instructed PNM to take its Divali celebrations to communities. Rowley in his address said "some members" suggested this.
Cloaked as Indo-culture, PNM's event was a wholesale promotion of the party. Al-Rawi, with PNM Indo Trinis alongside, punctuated every segment with huge PNM pitches including that night's offerings ("We have free food"). A kurta-clad Stuart Young threatened to take up a tassa drum.
Rowley's promotions included boasting PNM cutting government's Saturday duties, allowing Seventh Day Adventists that day. Walking through among members he emitted a remote vibe, despite displaying toothy grins and waving slightly to some. He lacked the ease of Persad-Bissessar who reaches out effortlessly and receives warm reception at PP walk-throughs at the Nagar.
The pitch, "Let's do this together," may be among campaign slogans for PNM whose national image still requires work. Some work comes with tomorrow's start of PNM's annual convention, a delegates' conference.
Breaking tradition–the convention–usually held over two days at Chaguaramas Convention Centre, occurs for delegates tomorrow at Hyatt and for members on November 16, at Queen's Park Savannah.
Khan says CCC wasn't available and though Hyatt costs are higher, it's more conveniently laid out for the 800 delegates to handle working sessions on Vision 2030 policies. Khan said Rowley returned last weekend from Texas.
When PNM screening resumes Wednesday for seats where nominees were rejected, communications manager/columnist Caroline Ravello will be among new Moruga nominees, PNMites confirmed.
Point Fortin incumbent Paula Gopee-Scoon and others will face future screening after nomination support from party groups. Other nominees were major general Edmund Dillon, councillor Peter Barrat, Joanne Delisia, Kenwin Hackshaw, officials said.
They added Gopee-Soon received the majority of votes, though only receiving the nod from 10 of the 22 groups. Others received support from, 6, 5, 1, 0 groups respectively, they added.
Point vice chairman Abdon Mason said: "It's early, nothing's cast in stone. Gopee-Scoon says: "I'm pleased at support. I also have support of the majority of the executive, it says people have confidence in me...It looks brighter. I still have to face the screening committee but feel confident."
Defeated leadership contender Penny Beckles will be nominated for Arima. PNMites said she was supported by 75 per cent of the 23 of the 31 party groups at the last conference. They also expect nominations for George Hadeed, Ian Ford, Anthony Garcia. Elections officer Bobby Charles says: "All members should close ranks and bury the hatchet and prepare for government. If Penny isn't successful at screening, PNM can still form Government, but it'll be hard."