PNM getting ready for general election; PM says none is due until 2015

The opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) said on Saturday is is starting its general election campaign in January.

Party Chairman Franklin Khan made the announcement at the PNMs General Council Meeting held at Balisier House. 

Khan told reporters the party will hold a series of public meetings from January 10, "to engage" the population. 

"The PNM is putting its troops out on election footing given the fact that after 18 months the government of the day has no developmental plan for T&T," Khan stated.

Khan also said the PNM has endorsed all comments of its leader Dr Keith Rowley with regard to the assassination plot and the state of emergency.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has made it clear that she has no plans to call any early election. The next general election in Trinidad & Tobago is constitutionally due in 2015.

Her predecessor, Patrick Manning, called an early election in 2010 more than two years before it was due and was defeated by the People's Partnership coalition led by Persad-Bissessar. Manning made a similar move in 1995 and also lost.

He has been calling for an early election. However Persad-Bissessar has said he will have a long wait.