Election talk in Sando East; Penny, Hazel seen as possible replacements for Manning

Patrick Manning's serious illness and his 90-day leave of absence from Parliament is fueling speculation that the San Fernando MP would have to resign his seat, making way for a by-election.

Some of the election talk is coming from the PNM in online social media chats. One such posting stated that if Manning is going to quit the obvious choice by the party must be Senator Pennelope Beckles.

However, the Express newspaper reported Monday that the constituency officials favour Manning's wife, Hazel, as the successor to her husband.

Both choices might be questionable.

Beckles was sidelined by Manning in the 2010 election and rejected as the PNM candidate for Arima, which she had previously represented. Manning also rejected her for another seat, offering her instead a diplomatic post, which she refused.

She is seen as a Rowley ally and that will not be well-received by Manning loyalists in the constituency that the former PM has represented since 1971.

Manning's wife may be reluctant to face the electorate even if victory is considered a done deal. Her husband appointed her to cabinet on three occasions, each time through the backdoor of the Senate. he could have offered her any of the PNM's 'safe' seats but that did not happen.

Manning suffered a stroke on January 23 and is unable to speak clearly or move unassisted. The government has approved $600,000 for an air ambulance to take him to the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC for specialised treatment.

The Express reported that PNM sources have been saying that San Fernando East is lacking parliamentary representation and that there is growing support among the constituents for Hazel to continue representing the people of that area.