Manning watching UNC vote as he plans political moves

Prime Minister Patrick Manning is paying close attention to the internal election in the United National Congress (UNC) and is waiting to see what happens on January 24 before making his next political move.

Manning made the comment to reporters Thursday following his regular cabinet meeting.

Noting that 2010 is "an election year" he said, “I watch what is happening there and I choose not to intervene. I would wait until the issue that is now before them is over and then I will make some comments about that in the future.”

He said his party is meeting with officers and area managers Friday and it is expected that they will discuss what's happening with the UNC campaign, in which two MPs are challenging Basdeo Panday for the leadership of the party.

Manning is unpopular among some top PNMites and grassroots members of his own party and some insiders are saying he is facing a revolt by those backing former cabinet minister Dr Keith Rowley.

Manning fired Rowley after the minister questioned the activities of UDeCOTT and its executive chairman, Calder Hart.

The prime minister has said he dismissed Rowley because his "wajang" behaviour was not what he expected of a cabinet minister. But Rowley has insisted that it had nothing to do with bad manners and everything to do with raising the issue of corruption.

The relationship between the two is similar to the 2000 fallout between Prime Minister Basdeo Panday and Ramesh L. Maharaj.

Panday fired Maharaj, saying he was using state funds to illegally spies on his colleagues. But Maharaj denied that and insisted that Panday kicked him out because he raised the issue of corruption in the UNC government.

That led to a deal between Maharaj and Manning to topple the Panday government.

Panday called an election within months of winning a majority. That ended in an 18-18 tie and the president appointed Manning as prime minister.

Commenting on his relationship with Rowley, Manning said he is Rowley's leader. “I am the political leader of the party. Dr Rowley is a member of the PNM. I am his political leader. Indeed, I am the political leader of all members of the People’s National Movement,” Manning told the Trinidad Guardian.

He did not reveal any succession plan for his party but told the paper, "I do not propose to die in public life and certainly not in politics and therefore I propose to leave politics at some appropriate time."

Manning said his party is paying attention to what the opposition parties are doing, telling reporters that it is an ongoing PNM strategy.

He said he is keeping a distance "the very distinguished Leader of the Opposition," describing Basdeo Panday as my "very good friend". He was quick to note that all the contenders for offices in the UNC election are his friends.

"We take nothing personally into politics because that is the reality," he said.