Jack convinced that Manning will announce election on April 9

The Chairman of the United National Congress (UNC) believes a general election is coming very soon and is suggesting that Prime Minister Patrick Manning will announce the date in the House of Representatives on Friday, April 9.

That's the date the opposition is presenting to the Parliament a no confidence motion against Manning and Jack Warner believes Manning would take the opportunity to shut down Parliament to pre-empt the debate.

Any such move would also pre-empt debate on the report of the Uff commission of inquiry into UdeCOTT and the constructions sector, which could be embarrassing for both Manning and the government.

Manning has put his party in full election mode with instructions to complete the candidate selection process by Wednesday. Screening of candidates begin the next day.

The UNC is also on election mode, with plans to complete the nomination by April 12, followed by screening beginning the next day.

Read the story: Kamla puts UNC on election footing; candidate screening begins April 13

The speculation is that Manning wants a general election now to shield himself from the issues that are likely to come out of the Parliamentary debates but also because of intense pressure from inside the party.

Since his dismissal of Keith Rowley from cabinet, there has been a growing revolt within the governing party but Manning has kept the lid on that.

Rowley is insisting on staying with his party and is seeking the nomination for the party in the Diego Martin constituency that he currently represents.

If Manning announces that the president has agreed to dissolve Parliament for a general election it would mean that the vote can be held as early as May 3 but it can be as late as 90 days from the date of dissolution.

Warner is convinced that Manning wants an election now and he believes that once the prime minister announces his plan in the House of Representatives he will launch his campaign at a rally in Woodford square.

Warner thinks an election at this time is a good thing and is convinced that the PNM will be defeated.

“I want to say to Mr Manning, whether he wants to build ten hospitals in ten weeks, or whether he wants to temper the Revenue Authority Bill that he has passed or the property tax legislation that he has also passed, which were very good (to him), which were up to this week were the best thing since sliced bread, it would not fool the people,” the Chaguanas West MP told the Sunday Guardian.

He said citizens are angry and are ready to change their government.