PNM WOOS THE MIDDLE CLASS

FROM the careful selection of general election candidates to the awarding of national honours, the PNM is preparing for a grand show at its November 11 convention.

That is when the ruling party would launch its election offensive, and Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley would talk of his ambition to create a diverse political engine for the future.

Rowley, according to PNM insiders, would herald Stuart Young, speak of inclusiveness and hint at his not-too-distant political departure.

He would turn 75 a fortnight before the party event.

The fourth leader in 68 years would place high premium on the PNM being reflective of the national society, Balisier House sources said.

He would boast of his courage to broaden the PNM’s horizons.

At the convention, to be held shortly after Rowley’s return from the Commonwealth talks in Samoa, early election choices will be showcased.   

They include the quietly influential Senate Vice President Dr. Muhammad Yunus Ibrahim, candidate for the swing Barataria-San Juan.

Ibrahim, a former President of the Supermarkets Association, is prominent in the Islamic community and holds sway among the business-owning middle class.

His selection is a strategic move a generation after the legendary Kamaluddin Mohammed, as the constituency’s representative, became the longest-serving Commonwealth parliamentarian.

Interestingly, supermarket pioneers Mohan Persad and Anon Naipaul were given national awards on Republic Day.

The list of national awardees also reflected greater diversity than is usual under a PNM administration,

Several professional and entrepreneurs were honoured, winning acclaim from a broad cross-section of society.

The selection of Richie Sookhai for Chaguanas East has attracted a few middle-class business people into his political circle.

Sookhai, a junior Minister in Rohan Sinanan’s Works and Transport Minister, is in a position to deliver to contractors who are owed for long outstanding completed projects.

Some 100 secondary road works are being added to the current pre-election infrastructural improvement.

With the selection of Kheron Khan for the old oil town of Fyzabad, the PNM is hoping to retrieve ground with disaffected energy professionals.

Hundreds of qualified workers displaced by Petrotrin’s shutdown are now also concerned about the fate of their pension plan.

Khan, as son of former Energy Minister Franklyn Khan, would be expected to cultivate ties with that community of disgruntled electors.

Sources say there would be other “surprising” party nominees, with at least a couple being identified before or at the pre-election convention.

Apart from candidates, the party is expected to roll out a few prominent and middle-income public speakers.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s ability to walk a tightrope with the urban entrepreneurial class is considered a high point of his 2025 budget.

Even with a $5.5 billion deficit, Imbert did not impose higher business taxes, and, not surprisingly, got good grades from city honchos.

On the day of the budget, fast food giant Prestige Holdings announced $1.3 billion in annual profit, an indication that the status quo is serving their interests even during tough national times.

With the clock ticking on his political career amid health issues, Rowley is crafting his legacy.

He recently said he wants to ensure that while he was leader, “I ensured that at the appropriate time, the appropriate transition was made and the PNM is left in good hands for posterity.”

The PNM’s upcoming convention would showcase much of his work in progress