PM sticks with Marlene

According to the party’s constitution, Rowley (as political leader) selects three of the PNM’s deputy leaders while the deputy leader (Tobago) is elected by the PNM’s Tobago Council. Kelvin Charles, was automatically appointed deputy leader (Tobago Affairs) following his elevation to the political leader of the PNM Tobago Council in last July’s Tobago Council leadership election. At the convention, Rowley paid special tribute to outgoing Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London, who previously served as deputy leader (Tobago) for 26 years and 60 years unbeaten in politics. In addition to McDonald, deputy leaders Joan Yuille-Williams and Rohan Sinanan were also retained.

On March 17, Rowley advised President Anthony Carmona to revoke McDonald’s appointment as Housing Minister following media revelations earlier that she had employed her common-law husband Michael Carew in her Port-of-Spain South Constituency office.

The Integrity Commission is also investigating allegations made against McDonald. Shortly after the PNM marked the first anniversary of its re-election to office on September 7, Rowley disclosed he would be making adjustments to the Cabinet after the 2016/2017 Budget.

Rowley hinted that if McDonald is cleared of all allegations against her, it was possible she could be reinstated as a Cabinet minister. Some sources have claimed there could be changes to the energy, health and public administration ministerial portfolios, currently held by Nicole Olivierre, Terrence Deyalsingh and Maxie Cuffie respectively. There is also the possibility of changes being made to the Government’s senatorial line-up, bringing in persons who could be sworn in as ministers and subsequently senators.

Rowley also used the convention to categorically reject the criticisms which Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial made about the PNM’s Divali celebration last Thursday.

Describing that event as “most outstanding”, Rowley observed the PNM’s political opponents, “have a problem with that” and are accusing the party of “insulting the Hindu community” by holding a Divali function. Observing the alleged insult was because “we sang and danced”, Rowley quipped, “We sang and danced in Constantine Park and we are accused of denigrating one of our major religions....

but when other politicians do it...in the (Divali) Nagar site...

not once...not twice...but repeatedly...

local and foreign... it was okay.” PNM supporters cheered as he declared, “I tell you this this evening...

that is where they are rooted and that is where they are staying...and we are leaving them behind!” The Bollywood-style performance of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Stuart Young, Housing Minister Randall Mitchell and Sinanan at the PNM’s Divali function last week has generated considerable public discussion. As he introduced the local government candidates for the Port-of-Spain City Corporation, Young was described by PNM chairman Franklin Khan as “a new Bollywood star.” To the amusement of the crowd, Young quipped, “I will not be singing my Bollywood hit today.

In the earlier election of officers, Chinua Alleyne staged an upset defeating Sports Minister Daryl Smith by a 100 vote margin to be elected as the PNM’s new youth officer.

Alleyne is the son of Dr Petronella Manning Alleyne, the sister of former prime minister Patrick Manning who died on July 2. Former government minister Neil Parsanlal and Jocelyn Bodden successfully retained their posts of education officer and welfare officer respectively.