PNM OLD GUARD BANKS ON CEPEP, URP

THE PNM old guard has instructed the CEPEP and URP fraternity to support incumbents so they could return as party candidates for the upcoming general election.

Amid a strong insurgent movement from Foster Cummings, Kareem Marcelle and others, some sitting Members of Parliament and other senior party officials are putting pressure on the daily-paid government workers.

Several CEPEP contractors and all workers of the programme, along with the URP workforce, are being directed to vote for the serving MPs to return as election candidates.

They are being told to cast their votes in constituency groups, women’s league or youth groups.

“They are trying to quell the movement on the ground,” an informed source said.

A large number of CEPEP and URP workers were recently placed on the respective party executives.

This took place following a directive from Balisier House that all relevant constituency polls take place ahead of the then-scheduled party convention and national executive election.

But the national affair was later scrapped in the midst of a rebellion against party leader, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s support of Stuart Young as his successor.

The simmering row is based on a rich-poor issue.

Many PNM faithful see Young’s rapid ascent as a further indication of the party being a tool of the upper-class, who have become much richer during Rowley’s nine-year term. 

At the same time, party loyalists are openly grousing about poverty and hardship among the working masses, with unemployment, high cost of food, and declining social services.

That uproar led to the Laventille West women’s group recently voting against incumbent Fitzgerald Hinds and in favour or rising star Kareem Marcelle.

Women’s League Chair Camille Robinson-Regis quickly intervened and nullified the election.

But party activists and members in that and other constituencies are holding firm that there should be a changing of the guard.

“We are fed up,” a Beetham party loyalist said this week, “because there is nothing for we.

“What we do to remain at the bottom of the barrel while others are eating ham and jam?”

A member from Arima said that PNM constituencies are under-served and that their MPs are “living the high life while we suck salt on the ground.”

He fumed: “This cannot go on; we will stay with we party if they put new people to represent we and provide jobs so we could feed weself.”

PNM operatives said there is dissent along the East-West Corridor, San Fernando East, La Brea and Point Fortin.

Marcelle is receiving “strong support,” according to one of his foot soldiers.

At San Fernando East, represented by Brian Manning, there is a budding challenge from a fast-rising activist who is well known at the city corporation.

There is significant campaigning in Young’s constituency, Port of Spain North-St. Anns West.

A source said that Cummings is “attracting a lot of support from ordinary members,” who are also upset over the surprising decision to put off the convention.

Rowley said in a media interview last week that the convention and party polls would not be held in 2025, since that is a general election year.

This is being interpreted as an attempt to stall the Cummings-led movement and to buy time in promoting Young.

Party dissident Jennifer Baptiste-Primus said in a daily newspaper interview that Rowley’s rationale was “convoluted.”

Baptiste-Primus said the party poll had previously been brought forward to avoid the clash with the general election.

A PNM veteran said that “Rowley is hurting his legacy by insisting upon Young to succeed him.

“The people on the ground are already agitated over their living conditions.

“The leader is not reading things properly.”