Tuesday 25th November 2014 Ricardo Gladiator Welch Added Newsday Story By Akilah Holder-Stewart MANNING MAY CONTEST SAN FERNANDO EAST SEAT Former Prime Minister Patrick Manning may be in the running to seek the People’s National Movement’s nod to once again be its candidate for San Fernando East in the 2015 general election. It was not Manning who spoke of this, but supporter former Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, and former Chaguanas East MP, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid who spoke during a San Fernando East membership meeting at Pleasantville Community Centre, San Fernando last evening. On the incumbent MP’s behalf, Abdul-Hamid said, “Manning’s position is if his health improves, if he is healed, and the constituency approaches him, he will give due consideration to contesting the seat. If, however, in his view, his health does not allow, the constituency will be allowed to proceed along a different route.” Manning had a stroke in 2012 and has undergone extensive medial treatment which interrupted his tenure in Parliament since the 2010 general election. Abdul-Hamid related that three weeks ago, PNM political leader, Dr Keith Rowley spoke with Manning telling him he is inviting nominations for the San Fernando East seat, so screening has begun. However, the three weeks ended yesterday and because Rowley is currently out of the country, Manning is yet to speak with him. Manning, who has held the seat since 1971, was present, but did not speak to supporters or reporters. Abdul-Hamid told the gathering of PNM faithful that “(Manning) is unable at this time to advise the constituency on his views on the way forward pending his conversation with Rowley.” He added, “It is not likely, as a result, that selection will be held this year. In response last evening, the party’s public relations officer (PRO) Faris Al-Rawi said if his health permits and he is nominated by party groups in the constituency, Manning will be screened as any other nominee. Noting, Manning appears to be desirous of continuing to serve his constituency, Al-Rawi said the PNM has a screening committee which is mandated to consider all who are nominated. Observing Manning has served his constituency with distinction for over 40 years, Al-Rawi said, “Mr Manning is someone that the PNM has great pride in.” Noting Manning has said his offering himself as a candidate is conditional on his health, Al-Rawi said the party continues to wish the former Prime Minister and PNM political leader well since the PNM lost the last general election on May 24, 2012, Manning has publicly indicated on several occasions that he has no intention of standing for re-election when his current parliamentary term ends. No date has been set as yet for the screening of candidates for San Fernando East. Al-Rawi, who is an Opposition Senator, has been chosen as the PNM’s prospective candidate for San Fernando West.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 07:40:29 +0000