STALEMATE IN LAVENTILLE WEST

THE PNM’s Laventille West constituency is now at a stalemate, leading to speculation that the party may choose a new general election candidate.

Incumbent Fitzgerald Hinds has gotten the support of 30 party groups, with challenger Kareem Marcelle winning the backing of 21 units.

Marcelle is the choice of the influential women’s group.

With the disaffection against Hinds, some PNM observers are theorising that the party’s leadership will seek a new nominee.

In previous elections, the party sought new candidates when there was a deadlock with respect to contenders.

There is hectic intra-party campaigning ahead of the December screening of nominees.

One Marcelle campaigner said: “We must win; we cannot leave anything to chance.”

There are fears among some of Marcelle’s supporters that they would be victimised for openly displaying loyalty to the 29-year-old attorney.

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) denied reports that certain supporters of Marcelle and Foster Cummings face eviction.

Despite HDC’s denial, there are concerns by certain activists in the Beetham Estate and elsewhere that they could be thrown out and victimised by other State agencies.

Cummings, the PNM’s General Secretary, is the de facto leader of nominees who are opposing 15 incumbent Members of Parliament.

“It is all-out war,” one strategist close to the Cummings camp said.

The team of Cummings, Marcelle and other opponents of sitting MPs have cranked their activism, and sources said there would soon be public signage, digital messaging and media interviews.

“This is a struggle for the heart of the PNM,” a campaigner said.

One party commentator, who identifies as Wall Street, said there is “a demand for leadership more attuned to the needs of the community.”

He called for “genuine engagement and a commitment to addressing the issues of the people.”

He said the “rejection” of Hinds and “rise” of Marcelle in Laventille West “marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the constituency.” 

Some supporters of Cummings and Marcelle have accused party leader Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley of using a recent interview with the Sunday Express to “spread mischief.”

They claimed that “there are attempts to paint a bad picture of Cummings” and to have him removed from the PNM’s leadership contest.

One commentator wondered whether Marcelle and other aspirants would get a fair chance when they appear before the screening committee, which Rowley heads.

The committee includes Chairman Stuart Young, deputy leaders, Rohan Sinanan, Camille Robinson-Regis and Dyan Gadsby-Dolly, along with Tobago’s Ancil Dennis, PRO Faris Al Rawi, Elections Officer Indar Parasram, Operations Officer Irene Hinds, and Cummings.

One seasoned activist along the East-West Corridor stressed: “We urgently need change; the party has lost touch with the masses and we are hurting.”

The challenge against Hinds is viewed as a symbol of the disgruntlement over the neglect of the grassroots, especially youths.

In a voice note, a party supporter called on Rowley to “give youths a chance” to provide effective leadership.

Financial hard times and Young’s candidacy for party chairman are primary issues among those opposed to the current leadership.

Young is considered by many among the working masses as a representative of the national elite, the so-called “one per cent.”