Interim political leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) Jack Warner has challenged the People's National Movement (PNM) to have San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning step down from his San Fernando East seat–triggering yet another by-election."I challenge the PNM to do so. If they're so concerned about representation and so sure of themselves, then ask Manning to step down and have the seat be declared vacant for a by-election," Warner said on Wednesday.
Manning has consistently been granted sick leave from the Parliament since he returned from the United States last August for treatment for a mild stroke he suffered in January 2012. His latest leave ends at year-end.Warner said stepping down and holding a by-election was the correct thing to do. He said Manning would lose nothing by stepping down and his family may gain.Acknowledging the area was a PNM stronghold, Warner said, however, "The ILP will certainly participate in any by-election for that seat."
Warner had made the call for Manning to step down a few months ago. But indications from San Fernando East officials were that he would step down at term's end as he has said, and not before.On Warner's latest request, the answer from PNM San Fernando East officials has remained the same.
Warner also said he wrote Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar a public letter in his Sunshine newspaper editorial, saying it was time for the People's Partnership to give up and call a general election as the government lacked the moral authority to govern after losing four elections in a year.
Warner said: "It's a sad indictment on the Government. The cabal has brought down the blaze of glory the Government embarked on its mission with in 2010–(Suruj) Rambachan, (Roodal) Moonilal and (Anand ) Ramlogan. They've brought the Government to its knees.
"If she got rid of the cabal, I'd certainly consider returning to the PP and T&T will breathe a sigh of relief," Warner added. "She has 15 months in which to get rid of them. If she moves swiftly and shows T&T a different face, things can improve, since she has political currency but the cabal doesn't."
On Warner's request for the PNM to have Manning to step down, PNM chairman Franklin Khan said, "We stand by our MP but we know the issue of parliamentary leave is in the hands of the House Speaker on whether he will grant further leave."However, we're behind Mr Manning, he's a living legend, an icon and long-standing MP and if he requests to serve out his term with dignity, we support this."
On criticism that Manning campaigned last month with a PNM motorcade for local government elections, Khan said while his condition may allow him to go out to do things like attending his constituency office–as he said Manning has done–it may not allow full participation in Parliament, and the PNM respected the situation.