Prime Minister Patrick Manning is planning to turf Pennelope Beckles as the People's national Movement's (PNM) nominee for Arima by offering her a diplomatic post.The party made the announcement in a news release from Balisier House.
Beckles has faced some hostile questioning by the PNM's screening committee for her open endorsement of opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
The Arima constituency is fully behind Beckles, who has been the MP since 2002. Constituents say Manning's preferred candidate is Laurel Lezama, who is the second person screened for Arima.
Beckles was dropped from the cabinet following the 2007 general election and given the post of Deputy Speaker. If she accepts the diplomatic job Manning would effectively removed from the frontline politics a person who is perceived as an alternative leader for the PNM.
Manning disposed of former minister Camille Robinson-Regis with an offer of a diplomatic post. She is currently the High Commissioner to Canada.
Manning's other political headache is Keith Rowley who faces the PNM screening committee Tuesday. Rowley's constituency has nominated him but Manning's running feud with the former cabinet minister could create a showdown for the election.
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