Rowley may not speak on PNM national platform

Keith Rowley is still not sure he is the People's National Movement (PNM) candidate for Diego Martin West.

A report in the Trinidad Express quoted Rowley as saying that he is still waiting for the final word on the matter from the party's Central Executive.

The paper said Rowley's constituency executive has advised the former cabinet minister that he is the "candidate designate". It said Rowley is waiting for the final word before launching his campaign.

He told the Express he would have to think carefully about getting involved in the national campaign. He insisted that his position "is very, very clear on national issues and on personal issues" adding that his "primary concern is representing the people of Diego Martin West."

He said he plans to "mount a very vigorous campaign there because the opposition is not like it was before, where it was dormant. There is a very aggressive opposition now and they are targeting every one of our seats.

"My responsibility is to make sure the Diego Martin West does not change hands," he said.

Rowley has found himself in an awkward position in the campaign.

Since his expulsion from cabinet he has been one of the most vocal critics of his party leader for the handling of alleged corruption, especially at UDeCOTT. He is on records as saying that what happened at Udecott “is ten times worse than what happened with Piarco International Airport.”

He has even compared former UDeCOTT boss Calder Hart to Johnny O’Halloran. O'Halloran is infamous for taking bribes. On his death bed in Canada he told reporters he took the money not for himself but for his party. But the PNM has always denied that.

Rowley had made an issue of Prime Minister Patrick Manning's defence of Hart. He told local media that since August 2003 he had told Manning about allegations of bid-rigging at UDeCOTT and provided Manning with the evidence.

However, instead of dealing with it Manning chose to "slander me and put up a defence for Calder Hart and his wife.” Manning too has found himself in a bind as a result of the feud with Rowley.

So far Manning has been taking the lead in the campaign. He is presenting himself and a competent leader who has managed the country's affairs well. His focus is also on fighting corruption.

Part of his campaign has also been to attack the character of key members of the opposition.