Penny for PNM Chairman? Rowley will work with anyone

A report in the Trinidad Express Wednesday says People’s National Movement (PNM) Senator Pennelope Beckles has told PNM leader Keith Rowley she is not interested in being one of the party's deputy political leaders.

The paper quotes 'sources' as saying Beckles told her leader she is interested in running for the post of PNM chairman, which is currently held by Conrad Enill.

Enill has resigned but Rowley has asked him to stay on until after the Local Government Election (LGE).

The leader appoints the party's four deputy leaders, but the post of chairman is an elected one.

The PNM's internal elections are expected to be held in September.

The Express said Rowley favours former minister John Rahael for the chairmanship. Rahael is the PNM campaign manager for the LGE.

Rowley told the paper he won't comment on the reports because he has no intention of conducting the PNM’s internal business in the media.

However he said some of it "is half true, some is not true." And he reiterated the position he has held since 1996 when he first ran for the leadership of the party.

"I have said publicly and it has been my position way back since 1996 - that any member of the PNM is free to aspire to any position in the party," he told the Express.

He added, "I encourage democracy in the party and I encourage people to participate in the process...Members know where I stand and they would act accordingly."

Rowley said he will work with anyone who is elected through the party's democratic process.