Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had a backhand for Opposition leader Keith Rowley during yesterday's Parliament question time when he asked about former high commissioners returning to T&T "to campaign."
"No they didn't do so (to campaign), but I wonder if all the 12 or 13 PNM MPs will be campaigning for the PNM... I notice they don't even come to the House, I think he's scared of the campaigning in Diego Martin North East..." the PM shot back.
Doing its own campaigning of sorts against Rowley, Government continued yesterday's third leg of debate of its no-confidence motion against him to empty PNM seats. Questions on where the Government is heading with the one-sided debate–while other national issues simmer–might be entirely plausible (beyond the fact that Government's criticisms of Rowley are being chronicled on the Parliament record without rebuttal.)
While PNM MPs again walked out at 3.30 pm before debate resumed, support for their action lacked the support of PNM Laventille West MP Nileung Hypolite who left the chamber around 3.10 pm and wasn't with his leader and colleagues when they exited later. Last week PNM's Amery Browne was also missing from their walkout since he was absent. But Browne was with them yesterday.
Both Hypolite and Browne are now officially out of PNM's candidacy pickings. Browne said yesterday, "My commitment to serving citizens hasn't diminished and I'll have more to say in that regard in future but, for now, I completely, categorically reject any suggestion that anyone in Diego Martin Central should engage in any form of 'No Amery No Vote Campaign' which wouldn't be in the best interest of the people."
Hypolite's successor candidate Fitzgerald Hinds hasn't yet embarked on walkabouts, the executive confirmed but will start a radio programme soon. There are concerns that Hinds doesn't command support beyond a third of the 24 party groups, executive officials added, noting Eastern Quarry members weren't open to having an electronic PR sign in that area last week.
They said views on Hinds would be heard by PNM soon, that not all seats were safe and that PP people have been in the area. PP officials confirmed Sports Minister Brent Sancho is "working with sports people" there.
PNM Mayaro officials who said Clarence Rambharath has been busy criss-crossing the constituency, added it was difficult to say yet if expected COP support–where his family were members–is in the bag. They hope for possible fragmentation in PP's Mayaro camp if incumbent Winston Peters faces challenges from two businesspeople. PP officials had no comment.
Wednesday's UNC national executive meeting taking stock of positions in and out of Parliament solidified election footing. While PP steps have been measured allowing PNM out of the box first, showing its plans and candidates, PP has clearly been counter-planning though its low profile has led to perception of being leaden and lagging in the face of PNM's production, (though it's still less than fully convincing product-wise concerning leadership.)
Further PNM consolidation has come with JTUM labour linkages and hints that any divides might be bridged by PNM's positive attitude towards the Workers' agenda. Labour Minister Errol Mcleod yesterday, denying the PP had reneged on implementing the agenda, noted that many of this term's labour developments from updating laws and wage increases and to settlement of other issues were part of the agenda. Government also threatened to become the whipping boy for Petrotrin's move to serve an ultimatum on OWTU head Ancel Roget–which could have catapulted some labour sectors into the opposition–before McLeod halted action yesterday.
In the face of PNM's Faris Al-Rawi's view that "people have made up their minds already," PP communications minister Vasant Bharath believes "people are waiting" for the PP to play its hand. Support for PP performance in home turf was so much in the majority at Wednesday's TV6 Chaguanas Town meeting–where host Fazeer Mohammed reminded those praising Government to keep it short–was in stark contrast to last year's Port-of-Spain Town Meeting on PNM turf where Government was criticised.
PP's considerations now hinge on timing including for rollout of its plans, subsequent polls and other variables including external factors. The latter includes the economy, oil price fluctuations, PNM's candidates and policies, plus internal factors including possible outcome of probes. DCP Harold Phillip says the "witness tampering" allegations by PCA director David West against former AG Anand Ramlogan "are still actively engaging my attention."
Another issue–the Alliance of Independents–meets next week with the ILP, Steve Alvarez and plans inviting the NAR to talks, says AI's Joe Pires. He said the group, working to launch a party soon, hasn't concretised with any parties or people, and independent candidates Jowelle De Souza and Phillip Alexander aren't part of the AI though talks were held with Alexander initially, but he went solo. Pires said AI hasn't talked to the two "as yet" but has identified about eight east-west Corridor seats and one in south to contest but has no candidates yet.