The war of words between Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and former Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj, over Maharaj’s sharing the PM’s personal cell number on social media, is heating up again with the PM again lashing out at Maharaj.
Rowley had indicated he would have to disconnect his number after he received threatening messages when Maharaj released the PM's personal number over the weekend.
But this led to a claim by Maharaj that he had also received the PM’s new number which he would also share.
In an apparent response to this, Rowley, in a post to his Facebook page today asked, "Did Devant give you my new number?
"No. Because he is a liar. There is no new number for him to share because I have not yet operationalised a new number, therefore, no Cabinet Minister has any new number to give him."
Rowley admitted he was indeed considering hanging his number but said he had not yet done so.
"I am reluctant to change my number so I have been monitoring it to see the public's response to his malicious incitement," the PM said.
In a Whatsapp response to Guardian Media on the PM’s latest attack, Maharaj said, "Is this man serious about governing T&T? Does the PNM have nothing else to do?
“Increasing crime, poor healthcare, mass unemployment, declining economy but the Prime Minister messaging about hiding his phone number."
Maharaj has also released the numbers of National Security Minister Stuart Young and Education Minister Anthony Garcia.
In a response via WhatsApp, Young told Guardian Media, "I am ignoring the Opposition and continuing to work for the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to the best of my ability. I will not change my telephone number."
On Monday, Garcia also told reporters he was unfazed by the release of his number, adding of Maharaj, "Let the jackass bray."