The PNM has cancelled its annual Carnival fete "Soca in the Balisier" which was due to take place at PNM's Balisier House headquarters last night. PNM general secretary Ashton Ford confirmed this yesterday following announcement of the cancellation on PNM's Facebook page. The cancellation was said to be due to "unforseen circumstances." Other PNM officials said the situation arose as a result of lack of sponsors. Ford said the event had been held annually except for the year after the PNM lost the election in 1995.
Other senior PNM officials, confirming the problem with sponsors, added: "This year has been the worst in terms of sponsorship... people are just afraid to show their face with the PNM. This is the first time this is happening," The fete has traditionally been held annually by the PNM on the Monday before Carnival week. A ticket costs $140. PNM officials also pointed to the fact that if the event had been held last night it would have clashed with soca superstar Machel Montano's show at the National Stadium. But while the party's fete was a bust, the annual fete held by PNM San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning last Sunday, scored with an attendance in the hundreds, according to party and San Fernando East officials.
That fete was held on San Fernando Hill-at $75 a ticket-and was attended by various PNMites, including MP Amery Browne, Joan Yuille Williams and others. PNM leader Keith Rowley and several other members of the hierarchy were absent, the Opposition office confirmed. They said Rowley and others were attending the PNM's Tobago unit's constituency conference in Tobago which was held on Sunday.