In love again

Ralph Maraj, whose dismissal as a Minsiter in 1995, began the downward political slide for the last Patrick Manning administration (1991-95),returned home to the PNM yesterday as the party  annual convention got on the way. “Today is a day of celebration. Today is a day to kill the fatted calf as we welcome to this 38th Annual Convention, and back into the PNM family, Brother Ralph Maraj,” Manning welcomed  Maraj to thunderous applause. Maraj rose, smiling, hand in air, waving, then moving in the namaste ‘peace’ sign,  before ending with clenched fists. He attempted to sit back down but the crowd wanted to savour this moment.  Maraj the consummate politician obliged, rising again. The return of this prodigal son was one of the high points of the convention.

His official return was also enthusiastically received by former colleagues, Cabinet ministers, Ken Valley and Keith Rowley, who never believed that Maraj had ever left the PNM. Maraj was hugged by them, and officers of the movement after Manning beckoned him on stage at the end of his speech. Speaking with the media, Maraj stated it was “wonderful” to be back. Asked if he was willing to serve again, he replied: “I have returned and I am willing to serve the party, yes”. He said he had always felt love from the PNM, the party where he started his political career. And, he said, he was thankful to Manning for the chance he gave him in 1991. Stating that he had never abandoned the ideals and principles of the PNM, Maraj said that the fall-out between himself and Manning in 1995 was “all gone.” “Today I consider him to be my Prime Minister and friend,” he said, adding they shared a “genuine common commitment to the betterment of Trinidad and Tobago.” He knew the cynics would have their say, he said.  But the political record would show that he had always stood up for certain fundamentals, he stressed.

Highly placed government sources confirmed yesterday that Manning would be announcing his Cabinet reshuffle in the wind-up address at the end of the convention today.  But yesterday the Prime Minister’s energies were focused on pelting political ‘bois’ and celebrating the party’s ascendency during his one and a half hour address. Manning recalled what he saw as the UNC’s ‘sins’ with painful detail, concluding: “It was the growth of a frightening tyranny. And they almost succeeded,” he said, feigning apprehension. “At the same time that they were terrorising the population, they were paving the way for the most massive thievery,” he noted. Manning, who mixed political and religious fervour for much of his address, said that PNM “once again..came to the rescue of this country. Together, in one of our darkest hours, in the face of the most severe attack on our laws, beliefs and norms, we held hands across the ethnic and social divide, and demonstrated that our beloved country must and shall be saved by its very clear ideas of right and wrong...Let God be praised”, he said, provoking rapturous applause.

“Those who had almost ruined the country between 1995 and 2001 were aiming to get back..to finish the job. Oh they were licking their chops, my friends. They were dreaming of more diamonds, international golf course and private executive jets. You see they had already had posh apartments, gold plated cars and millions in local and foreign bank accounts....But we won that fight and today our beloved country is being managed by the PNM, with love, sanity and competence. Let God be praised,” he said, sending his audience in ecstacy. “The PNM is alive....This party is alive in every fibre. We have overcome. Let God be praised,” he vociferated with the crowd roaring its approval.  Manning said the party could not turn back now. “You think we going back there (Opposition) again? No way! I give you the assurance of PNM Government for a long, long time to come”. Saying that the PNM was registering thousands of new members, Manning stated that the fear of those on the Opposition benches was that they would be there “for a long, long, time to come. The PNM today is stronger than it has ever been. Let God be praised”. The Prime Minister also defined Vision 2020,  outlining its key features —”a thriving, diversified economy; full employment; an educated, skilled citizenry; modern accessible health care; upgraded, efficient infrastructure; housing for all; poverty eradication; and a safe, secure, Trinidad and Tobago.” He detailed  his government’s plan to lead the country to this vision. And then he concluded on a high note, saying :”Vision 2020, today a Party’s vision; tomorrow, a country’s reality. Let God be praised”.