Manning predicts big win for PNM

 PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning yesterday predicted the PNM would make an unprecedented sweep in Opposition strongholds in this Local Government election. Though he didn’t give the date of the local government polls, Manning said that the PNM would win more seats in this Local Government election than ever before. “We shall make more history. They can’t take a single seat that we now have or a single corporation that we now control,” he boasted. On the other hand, the PNM shall make unprecedented inroads into Opposition-held constituencies, he said. “It will be the kind of inroads that make big men shiver and sleeping politicians wake from their slumber. Is thunder, ladies and gentlemen. Total thunder,” he said.

Manning was the only speaker at the Family Day of the People’s National Movement at the Eddie Hart Recreation Grounds, Tacarigua yesterday, which drew a massive crowd. Among those attending were the new Junior Finance Minister, Christine Sahadeo and THA Chief Secretary, Orville London. Noting that the PNM opened a regional office in Central on Saturday, Manning promised to meet with the public at that office in the same way he does at Balisier House and in San Fernando. “Men frightened, I tell you. They want to know why this man doesn’t leave them alone so that they could carry on with their antics and fool the people in certain constituencies in the country,” he said, adding that the plains of Caroni were now close to the heart of the PNM.

Obviously seeking to contrast his behaviour with that of  Opposition Panday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning pledged yesterday that he would never refuse to declare the status of his property and bank accounts — local and foreign. Panday is currently before the courts for failure to declare certain assets to the Integrity Commission. Manning slammed the Opposition leader for failing to support the Anti-Kidnapping Bill and the Police Reform Bills. He dismissed as “rubbish,” “dishonesty” and “bankruptcy,” Panday’s argument that he and his party would  not support legislation to curb crime and kidnapping unless government embarks on a process of constitutional reform. “He agreed to the package of legislation when he was prime minister and the country was facing the same problem. There was no talk then of constitutional reform,” Manning said.

The prime minister added that while constitutional reform was a “very lengthy process that could take years”, crime was an immediate problem, crying out for an immediate and effective response. Said Manning: “Where is the leadership? Where is the responsibility? As I told you it is selfishness, expediency and a huge tabanca for a return to power. Some people are just not capable of putting the country above their selfish desires.” Manning likened the Opposition UNC to “naked men running around, thinking they have on clothes, preaching about piousness and perfection when all their imperfections are glaringly revealed for all to see. They Opposition is naked. The stand humiliated in their nakedness,” he said.