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It is clear that his move last week was to assert himself, coming so soon after his arch rival Patrick Manning was felled by a stroke and effectively removed - for now at least - from the political stage.
Rowley had never been comfortable in his new post. He had used a cloak and dagger approach to get it and Manning - like Basdeo Panday - could never let go. So he remained a thorn in Rowley's side and never forgave his former Deputy leader for helping bring down his government and usurping the leadership.
Manning and Rowley walked together and even hugged for the cameras. The Member for San Fernando East even pledged allegiance to the new leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) and said he would leave politics. But deep inside there was no forgiveness. It was mutual.
Rowley ignored Manning in his democracy march from the Red House to San Fernando and did not support him in his motion seeking to change the rules regarding the Privileges Committee of Parliament.
It was a tragic display from the once mighty PNM. Rowley and four others abstained; the MP who seconded Manning's motion - Alicia Hospedales - was absent when the legislature voted.
What was clear was that Rowley's revenge was a continuing process and he would not be satisfied until Manning was out of the way.
So Manning chose to report to the nation, starting with an apology for mistakes he made. And he promised to keep watch on what was going on in his "defence" of the nation, stating that he would not be a pot hound "chasing every passing car". What humiliation for Rowley! Demoted from Rottweiler to pot hound.
Inside the PNM Rowley was never stable. His major cause célèbre was the removal of the Balisier tie that had been a mandatory wear for MPs on official business both in and out of Parliament since the days of Eric Williams.
When Manning suffered a stroke and Rowley, in all hypocrisy, went to visit, Hazel slammed the door in his face, dramatising the hurt she felt for the injustice meted out to her husband by Rowley and his supporters.
So once Manning was out of the way Rowley decided to take charge. It was a bad move.
Rowley and his team had nothing of merit to offer, no "mark to buss". Instead, they afforded the People's Partnership a splendid opportunity to blow its trumpet and remind the national population of the reason why the PNM is out of office. It also provided PP politicians the best chance they would ever have to go after Rowley. And they did.
Moonilal exposed a plot for a Palace Coup (which as expected was denied). Jack told Rowley there are two things he would never see - God's face and the PM's chair. Kamla denounced Rowley as a man who betrayed his own political family. And she promised to take on "anyone of you, anyplace, anytime." But she made it clear that unlike her predecessor she is in no hurry for an election.
The end result of nearly 28 hours of debate - as the Hansard will show - is that there was indeed a lot of "sound and fury" signifying, except perhaps, the end of Rowley's career.
Some big wigs in the PNM - including Port of Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing - had cautioned Rowley about his motion, especially with it coming in the weeks before the UNC's internal election. And many of them have not been amused by the embarrassment in the Parliament.
Whether the PNM will admit it or not, Rowley will now face an inquisition even from some of those who shouted "absolutely yes" in favour of his motion in Parliament Saturday.
Rowley fought for more than a decade to reach where he is, even scheming and undermining his leader. So he will not walk away or roll over and die.
However, those inside the party who understand the nature of politics will have to tell him the truth - that he is, today, the Albatross around the neck of the PNM. And he will have to go.
And for the sake of democracy, let's hope that when the PNM finds a new leader it will be a person who will offer much more than just small change!
Jai Parasram - 05 March 2012
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