PM backs Khan for chairman

Prime Minister Patrick Manning is sticking to the view that in this plural society, Works Minister Franklyn Khan, remains the best choice for the position of chairman in the People’s National Movement.

While stressing that his support for Khan was based “in the first instance” on the Ortoire/Mayaro MP’s abililty, Manning stated that there were other considerations. “Having regard to what the PNM is trying to achieve I am convinced that the two top positions in the PNM — Political Leader and Party Chairman — should not be held by persons of the same ethnicity. Not in a plural society.” The PNM’s two previous  chairmen, Lenny Saith and Linda Baboolal, were also East Indians. Opposing Khan are former Government Minister Hugh Francis and former Councillor, Harvey Borris. Khan, for his part, believes that he represents “a level of freshness” that the country needs.

To his detractors who have been attempting to label him as a “johnny-come-lately,” the Works Minister suggested that after having fought “three brutal elections” in the difficult constituency of Ortoire/Mayaro for the PNM, he had paid some dues. “Without patting myself too much on the shoulder, I think the people of Ortoire Mayaro rallying around the cry of the PNM in 2002 elections, has played a significant role in putting the Government into office and we continue to be committed to that cause,” he said. He added that his constituents were very much behind his candidacy “and I want to represent them and all of Trinidad and Tobago not only in the Government, but very significantly in the party.” Khan stressed that he did not jump into the internal electoral ring by accident. “I offered myself because I thought I had competencies that I could bring not only to the Government, but also to the party,” he said, adding that he was quite confident that most of the delegates voting in the election would see it this way as well. If  Khan wins, as is expected, it would mean that he would be representing the marginal seat of Ortorie/Mayaro; serving as Works Minister as well as holding the second most senior position in the party.

Asked whether he felt he was over-extending himself, Khan explained there were many ways to win an election and that the most important means was through representation, organisation and delivery. “I probably shouldn’t say this in the presence of the Prime Minister, but as a member of Parliament, one of the better ministries to have is the Ministry of Works and Transport in the context of impacting on your constituents.” Khan added that when one held office in the party and became a fundamental part of the leadership process, that also had a positive impact on the constituency “because constituents like to have representatives who they feel are a part of the process that makes things happen.” Khan stated: “Good representation is not about being in the constituency for 24 hours a day because you can be in the constituency for 24 hours a day and do nothing for 24 hours a day. Effective representation means working on the key  and the pivotal issues in your constituency and those pivotal issues fall into two areas — party issues and governmental issues.”

Asked whether he felt that being chairman would help the PNM reach into the East Indian community, Khan said that his being chairman alone would not achieve this goal. He was confident that the PNM would earn East Indian support because of the policies and general philosophies of the party. “Our philosophy from day one has been to have a broad base, and to seek the interest of all in Trinidad and Tobago. And as we continue to implement our programmes without favouritism, above board and in a transparent manner, you don’t necessarily have to target a particular group” he said, since every group, would see the benefit of supporting the party and Government.