PNM ready for big POS rally Friday

The People’s National Movement (PNM) is planning to pack about 20,000 supporters into Woodford Square Friday for a rally in support of party leader Patrick Manning who is facing an opposition no confidence motion in Parliament that day.

The acting police commission is expected to make a decision Wednesday on whether to approve the mass demonstration next door to the Red House while Parliament is in session. The PNM is hoping to get a positive response and is going ahead with its planning.

The party hosted a similar rally on September 12, 2008 when Manning faced a no-confidence motion. Police did not grant permission for that event, which the party said was a spontaneous response in support of the leader.

PNM secretary general Martin Joseph told the Trinidad Guardian Tuesday chairmen and secretaries of all the constituencies are planning to bring out thousands.

The rally could turn out to be the launch of a general election campaign. The PNM is on an election footing, with screening of candidates beginning Wednesday in San Fernando East, where Manning would be confirmed as the candidate.

He was nominated unopposed for the seat that he has held since 1971 when he won unopposed in the no-vote campaign of that year.

There is widespread speculation that Manning will pre-empt the no confidence motion by announcing that Parliament is being dissolved for a general election.

Both opposition parties - the United National Congress (UNC) and the Congress of the People (COP) are also on election alert. UNC and COP have agreed in principle that there would be a one-on-one vote in the election but are yet to work out the details of a political union.

The UNC is meeting Wednesday to discuss election planning. It has asked its constituencies to complete the nomination process by April 12. The party will begin screening candidates the next day.