Like curry duck, chutney seems to have some unseen power that leads rival political People's National Movement (PNM) and United Nationa lCongress (UNC) foes to down weapons and join together for light-hearted fun.
This was evident on Saturday night when arch political rivals PNM Senator Faris Al-Rawi, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and Community Development Minister Winston Gypsy Peters shared light moments while mingling at the VIP section during the Lotto Plus Chutney Soca Monarch finals, Skinner Park,San Fernando.
Last December, PNM Lady vice-chairman and former PNM senator Pennelope Beckles-Robinson shared some light moments with Moonilal when she attended the minister's curry duck and international table-beating competition at Fun Splash Water Park, Debe.
Party officials lambasted Beckles-Robinson for attending the event, especially since she was seen at the UNC event days after being axed from the Senate by PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley.
She maintained that she did nothing wrong and was invited to the event by the owner of the water-park, who is a well-known PNM supporter.
Today, Beckles-Robinson is challenging Rowley for leadership of the PNM as the party holds internal elections in three months, on May 18.
On Saturday, Al-Rawi, who is seeking re-election as PNM PRO on Rowley's slate, mingled with Moonilal and Peters as they greeted each other warmly and even shared a couple of jokes together.
The trio was flanked by Housing Development Corporation (HDC) chairman Rabindra Moonan, Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs Kevin Ramnarine and San Fernando Mayor Kazim Hosein at the event.
Al-Rawi was also seen mingling with Public Administration Minister Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and former San Fernando Congress of the People (COP) Mayor, Dr Navi Muradali.
Yesterday Moonilal, when contacted for comment via SMS, said, "I was attending the final as I do every year, and had a good time. Some PNM folks were in the where I was liming. I understand they came to hear a special song done by Kenneth Supersad. It was a convivial evening."