PNM bandwagon rolls into San Fernando

IN SCENES reminiscent of  last year’s General Elections campaign, the PNM bandwagon breezed into San Fernando on Monday night to the infectious rhythms of tassa, soca and Iwer George  as the countdown to Local Government Election continues. From as early as 6 pm, party faithfuls converged on the Chancery Lane car park, arriving in every conceivable means of transportation, from yellow, red and green band maxi-taxis to buses and private cars. Some even made the journey on foot, with candidates for the PNM-controlled San Fernando City Corporation leading a multi-coloured sea of supporters across Harris Promenade before mingling with the thousands who were already waiting at the base of the ten-foot stage at the car park. Even the light drizzle that continued for most of the evening failed to dampen the spirits of the massive gathering of PNM supporters. Expecting political picong and bacchanal, the large crowd was not disappointed as speaker after speaker ripped into the Opposition UNC, with Local Government Minister Jarrette Narine predicting the party of the Rising Sun will be seeking a new leader after the July 14 elections.   

Narine had the crowd in stitches when  referring to the UNC/NAR electoral accommodation. He declared, “When the dead lead the dead, both end up more dead.” Continuing the onslaught was Arouca South MP Camille Robinson-Regis, who described the Opposition party as the “most pathetic” in the country’s history. “They say they want to save the country,” she said, “but they didn’t say from who. Tell Basdeo Panday that we already save the country from them.” But it was PM Patrick Manning who whipped the massive crowd into a frenzy as he launched into his famous “we shall beat them” anthem. With an added twist, Manning changed the word “beat” to “flog”. By the time the Prime Minister had ended his speech, shortly after 11 pm, the crowd left the car park convinced that another PNM victory was a mere formality.