The Opposition PNM is rallying behind former leader Patrick Manning in support of the principle behind his seven-day, North-South march which starts today.PNM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Faris Al Rawi confirmed the party's support yesterday, saying:"We're behind it 100 per cent since we have said the way he was suspended from the Parliament was wrong, wrong, so totally wrong."Al Rawi said some PNMites were expected to be present at the Red House starting point when Manning kicks off his march at 3 pm under the banner "We Not Taking Dat".Manning on Monday announced the protest march against his recent suspension from Parliament when he was found guilty of contempt of Parliament. This was in relation to allegations he made about Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's house.
Manning, who had attempted to institute legal action, was however, suspended from Parliament with immediate effect on May 15.The suspension is expected to last until the end of the current Parliamentary session on June 17.Until then, his seat in the Red House is empty and his San Fernando East constituents are without representation in Parliament.The first segment of the seven-stage march begins at the Red House on Knox Street and will proceed up the Eastern Main Road. The day's leg of the march ends at the Croisee, San Juan. Manning, 64, recently returned from a Cuban medical checkup where he said he received a "clean bill of health."
Manning, a cancer survivor, has one kidney and has had heart bypass surgery, and has two artificial heart valves, a pace maker, plus eye laser surgery all in his medical history.Manning's wife, Hazel, said yesterday she was likely to be accompanying her husband.Manning has applied for police permission for the march, it is understood.Along the walkabout, Manning is expected to overnight at locations along the route, his office indicated.
Yesterday, PNM deputy leader Marlene McDonald said PNM leader Keith Rowley or herself had not spoken with Manning on the initiative. But she added:"It's Mr Manning's initiative and this walk for democracy that he is undertaking is to show he was wrongfully suspended because procedurally how the Government went about it (suspension) was totally wrong."Mr Manning has his ways of doing things and this is his initiative."McDonald said she could not say if she would be joining the march since the issue had not been discussed.
Rowley and chairman Franklin Khan did not reply to calls. PNM general secretary Ashton Ford said he didn't have any idea about the march and wasn't going to comment "until guided by the political leader."However, Al Rawi said after yesterday's Senate: "The party stands strong in its view that the procedure of the Parliament (in the suspension) was wrong and we all stand behind a senior MP.He added: "Mr Manning is the longest serving MP in the Parliament and we are united in our disapproval of his suspension and our unity will be taken to all fronts."
Al Rawi said since Manning had been treated unfairly, "all arms of the party and all arms of persons" were going to be joined in supporting the return of Manning's rights and that of his constituents."The initiative shows the level of commitment to democracy in the PNM and we intend taking this (suspension issue) and the PP's unholy haste to do Mr Manning in, as well as the PP Government's maladministration of one year to all levels of the community," he added.
Contacted yesterday, a few PNM MPs and others said they would be at the Red House to help launch Manning's walk today but most others pleaded other engagements.MP Amery Browne said:"This walk seems to be against the unfairness and viciousness of the PP Government and it therefore is very relevant so I'm seriously considering attending."MP Pat Mcintosh said she may be present.MP Paula Gopee Scoon said: "I support Mr Manning's endeavours and his agenda but I have a PNM foreign affairs committee meeting on Wednesday (today)."
MP Nileung Hypolite said: "We're supporting him but it doesn't mean we have to walk also. We have our affairs to take care of and I have a commitment."MP Colm Imbert said he had a prior engagement. MPs Donna Cox, Joanne Thomas, Alicia Hospedales and Fitzgerald Jeffery were unavailable.
PP senators hit march
Former prime minister Patrick Manning's North-South march was the subject of PP Government's dismissal yesterday in the Senate. Attorney General Anand Ramlogan commented on the issue as PNM Senator Penny Beckles-Robinson rose to deliver greetings on the upcoming occasion of Indian Arrival Day.Ramlogan told Beckles: "Don't forget your leader who will be marching in the hot sun in a kurta in commemoration of Indian Arrival Day."He complained that Manning "never attended a single Indian Arrival Day function" while he was Prime Minister even though he was invited.
PP Senate leader Subhas Panday told the T&T Guardian: "I feel Manning wants to make a comeback and he views (Keith) Rowley as lacking in leadership qualities. It seems Manning's trying to revive his fortunes in PNM.
"For him to do what he's doing he must feel he has his MPs' support. But we don't feel threatened at all. Former prime minister Basdeo Panday who once marched through east to west along the corridor while he was Opposition Leader in 2003, said: "I hope Mr Manning's heart can take it. I can give him some advice on successful marching but I won't join him. "Mr Manning might now see 'do so, ent like so', because his suspension from Parliament might be poetic justice or retribution for the suspension from the House which I received in 2006 under the PNM Government."So now he knows what it feels like. I want him to know therefore, God doh sleep. I also hope he's careful when he's using the overpass in his walkabout."