Plot to remove Rowley as PNM leader and install Frankie Khan: Guardian report

The Sunday Guardian is reporting that there is a plot to overthrow Keith Rowley as the leader of the opposition People's National Movement (PNM) and replace him with the party's former chairman Franklin Khan, who had to quit his ministerial job and party post after he was charged with corruption.

Rowley became leader for a five-year term following the general election in May after the PNM suffered a humiliating defeat. Rowley was acclaimed leader after no one challenged him. However, the Guardian claims that the opposition leader - who is recuperating from minor surgery - will face a leadership challenge at the party's annual special convention in 2011.

The convention was scheduled for last month. However it had to be cancelled because party officials said they were having great difficulty getting enough delegates to attend. It's the first time since the founding of the PNM it had to cancel a convention.

The Guardian says several members of the general council are quietly planning to move a no-confidence motion against Rowley when the convention is held. If this happens, the paper says, the general council, central executive and delegates from all 41 constituencies would vote for a new leader.

The paper says top party sources prefer Khan to former prime minister Patrick Manning. “There were always plans for him in the party but the unexpected happened,” the paper said, citing unnamed party sources. The reference is to the charges against Khan that were later dropped.

The paper says its sources are saying that Manning may end up working with Khan to throw out Rowley. And the paper claims that the plot was hatched a long time ago, which is why the DPP dropped all charges against Khan.

"From the moment he was cleared of the charges a decision was quietly taken that he would be the best man to lead the party,” the paper quoted sources as saying.

The paper says the party is also interested in putting Khan as its leader in order to get support from the Indian community. While people like Kamaluddin Mohammed, Errol Mahabir and Lenny Saith have always had positions of influence within the leadership, the PNM has never had an Indian leader.

The victory of the People's Partnership and the appointment of Rowley as PNM leader caused a significant decline in Indian membership in the party. 

“We have lost almost all our support and the East Indian factor is very crucial to any party. We are looking at the best way forward for the party and tough decisions would have to be made,” the sources told the Guardian.

The paper says it has learned from "reliable sources" that a petition is expected to be circulated to members to sign in an effort to remove Rowley, arguing that Rowley is not “a people’s person” and that he has not been able to pull the party together.

The paper says its sources are speaking out against Rowley, saying he has not met the expectations of the people. “It is going to be hard fight but we are not satisfied with what is going on," the paper quoted PNM sources as saying.

The Guardian said it was unable to reach Khan and Rowley. However it got a comment from Jerry Narace, former cabinet minister and PRO of the party: "I have absolutely no knowledge of what you are talking about but I want to wish everybody well; former prime minister Patrick Manning, Dr Rowley and Mr Khan, even the new Prime Minister and in extension may I wish all a happy holiday,” Narace said.

Also read the SUNDAY EXPRESS