Abdulah invites reporters to media briefing for "major announcement"

File: David Abdulah

David Abdulah is making a major announcement on Sunday.

The leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) sent out an invitation to media to attend a news conference at which he will make a "major announcement".

The invitation stated, "The Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) invites the media to a very important press conference to be addressed by its political leader, Senator David Abdulah, where the MSJ will make a major announcement."

There is speculation that Abdulah would announce that the MSJ would leave the governing coalition. In that case he would also have to resign his position as a government senator, which he holds by virtue of his membership in the five-member coalition.

Alternatively, Abdulah could announce that he is quitting the MSJ and keeping his job as a senator but that is hardly likely since he is an executive member of the Oilfield Workers' Trade Union (OWTU), which has been pushing for the MSJ to get out of government.

Abdulah has found himself in an awkward position since he is a part of an organisation - the OWTU - that has publicly declared its intention of bringing down the government.

Yet he continues to sit at the table with members of the governing coalition as a full member while holding a senatorial position. 

He has stated that he supports the partnership but refused to attend the second anniversary rally in May, saying he did not think it was appropriate. He also did not attend a strategy retreat that the partnership held earlier this month in Tobago.

So far Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has refused to take any action against Abdulah, stating instead, "We love you, David".