PNM THREATENS TO EXPOSE COLLEAGUE’S ‘CORRUPTION’

AS internal mudslinging worsens in the People’s National Movement (PNM), some party election contenders are threatening to expose alleged corruption by a colleague.

That fraud reportedly includes land and property transactions, insider trading and bid rigging.

The PNM opponents claim to have written proof of their colleague’s wrongdoing with the public’s purse valued at millions of dollars and involving State agencies.

There is a sinister plan to leak a bundle of documents.

The threat to reveal the documents highlights the extent of infighting and intimidation as action heats up for a successor to 75-year-old political leader, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

“Pure hate but acting normal,” an informed source said, citing a rap song.

The campaign has pitched Acting Prime Minister and Rowley’s proxy, Stuart Young, against several ministerial and party colleagues and constituency officials who are loosely termed the Black Caucus.

At least three government ministers, a former National Executive official, some General Council and various constituency members are leading the insider campaign against Young.

A key point-man is a party and government official with close ties to the national and constituency executives and youths.

The campaigners argue that Young’s election and an executive loyal to him would lead the 68-year-old PNM away from its moorings as a Black urban party.

One stout anti-Young campaigner said: “The PNM is the one thing that Black people have and now we are in danger of losing that to the one percent.

“This could become a class war.”

Responding directly to that reasoning, Rowley told a recent General Council meeting that “the PNM is not an African party.”

Party sources stressed that Rowley will not withdraw his active support of Young, which he sees as his leadership succession plan.

He told a recent party event: “One thing I can point to is that while I was leader of the PNM, I ensured that at the appropriate time, the appropriate transition was made.”

Rowley and Young enjoy the support of certain Cabinet ministers and a sprinkling of national and constituency officials.

They can rely on financial support from some business powerhouses if there is a need, well-placed sources said.

But the so-called Black caucus is determined to woo sufficient voters to win the national executive election at the forthcoming convention.

One General Council member stressed: “We will not back down on Stuart Young; his leadership is simply bad for the PNM.”

He added: “Our style is not to wash our dirty linen in public, and we are still confident we could still avoid a public conflict.”

Almost half of General Council members at a meeting two Saturdays ago declined to vote on postponement of the convention, and party sources say there has since been a greater fall-off.  

General Secretary Foster Cummings decision to leave the head table and ask questions from the ground was termed “most revealing.”

Apart from Young, three members of the Cabinet reportedly have leadership interests.

This is the first open duel for the post of PNM political leader.