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| A frail Patrick Manning clutches a cane on his arrival at Piarco Airport Tuesday night |
Rowley refused to go to the airport to greet his former leader and most of the People's National Movement (PNM) MPs followed their leader as did the executive of the party with the exception of Faris al-Rawi.
Rowley said he was not told about Manning's return, which he considered a "family matter", adding that he did not want to make the event a "political football". Nevertheless, it was a political event and a strong statement about the deteriorating state of affairs in the once mighty PNM.
Amery Browne seized the opportunity to straddle both sides, hoping to appear as a peacemaker and possibly a future leader. Alicia Hospedales went to show that she is still loyal to the man who gave her a political life. She had also joined Manning during his "democracy walk" from Port of Spain to San Fernando. Rowley and the PNM top brass were absent on that occasion as well.
At least one PNMite appeared was brave enough to critcise his leader. The former chairman of the party’s national youth league, Deon Jeffers, told local media Rowley seemed unprepared "to bury the hatchet with Manning".
The Guardian quoted Jeffers as saying, "The absence of Dr Rowley in particular is inexcusable as Mr Manning was not returning from a vacation. He was coming home after prolonged illness. This was supposed to be a joyous occasion for all from the political leader to the grassroots."
In fairness to Rowley he is not alone to blame in this feud. Manning and those who are waving the flag for him are equally guilty. Rowley played it smart by not showing up. He did not want a door to be slammed in his face again or to endure the wrath of Manning's supporters who still blame him for the loss of government.
Rowley, of course, has always been uncomfortable with the crown that he wears, having snatched it in haste from Manning shortly after the PNM's humiliating defeat in the 2010 general election. Rowley had promised a "court martial" of his leader but settled for Manning's immediate ejection from the leadership, which he immediately claimed.
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| File: Rowley and his supporters celebrate Manning's departure from Balisier House |
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| Public "love" during a walkabout in San Fernando |
While Manning publicly stated that he fully supports his leader, he had tried to upstage him during his "reports to the nation", even suggesting that he was not a dog that would chase every passing car, a reference to Rowley's style of leadership.
Rowley has been leading a team of MPs who were loyal to Manning with only his handpicked six senators showing allegiance to him. The fact that only two MPs showed up at the airport is not an endorsement of Rowley but rather an exercise in caution to protect personal interests since none of them knows for sure how the political pendulum will swing.
The opposition leader's lack lustre performance since taking over the leadership of his party has also been a cause for deep concern within the party. And there has been, for the first time in the party's history, public criticism of the leadership. What is happening in the inside is still a private matter, although hardly a secret.
The power brokers inside the party are not happy. And the continuing division is not a good sign for a party that wants to present itself as a government in waiting. This drama is now entering its next act as the political cancer begins to take root. There are some questions that will emerge in the next few days.
Is Manning healthy enough to continue to serve as the MP for San Fernando East? If Manning resigns, would Rowley risk losing the constituency by demanding a candidate of his choice? And perhaps most interesting, where does the People's Partnership fit in the picture? Would the Partnership woo a Manning with the understanding that a son isn't guilty of his father's sins?
Jai Parasram | Nova Scotia, Canada - 03 August 2012
Rowley has been leading a team of MPs who were loyal to Manning with only his handpicked six senators showing allegiance to him. The fact that only two MPs showed up at the airport is not an endorsement of Rowley but rather an exercise in caution to protect personal interests since none of them knows for sure how the political pendulum will swing.
The opposition leader's lack lustre performance since taking over the leadership of his party has also been a cause for deep concern within the party. And there has been, for the first time in the party's history, public criticism of the leadership. What is happening in the inside is still a private matter, although hardly a secret.
The power brokers inside the party are not happy. And the continuing division is not a good sign for a party that wants to present itself as a government in waiting. This drama is now entering its next act as the political cancer begins to take root. There are some questions that will emerge in the next few days.
Is Manning healthy enough to continue to serve as the MP for San Fernando East? If Manning resigns, would Rowley risk losing the constituency by demanding a candidate of his choice? And perhaps most interesting, where does the People's Partnership fit in the picture? Would the Partnership woo a Manning with the understanding that a son isn't guilty of his father's sins?
Jai Parasram | Nova Scotia, Canada - 03 August 2012
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