Rowley silent on claims Browne tipped to run for Diego West

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley remains silent on his political future, opting not to respond to questions about whether he will step down as Diego Martin West MP—a position he has held since 1991—or contest the seat in the next general election.

Speculation about an impending election date intensified following the Parliamentary order paper’s disclosure of the Government’s intention to lay the draft Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Order 2024. This order was subsequently laid yesterday.

As Dr Rowley entered Parliament flanked by security and speaking on his cellphone, Guardian Media asked whether he would contest his seat or announce the election date amid speculation that Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne would be screened for the constituency with his blessing.

However, the Prime Minister walked into the building without responding.

PNM general secretary and La Horquetta/Talparo MP Foster Cummings deflected questions about Dr Rowley’s intentions, stating, “Have you asked the Prime Minister?”

When asked about speculation that Browne might replace Rowley as the candidate for Diego Martin West, Cummings reiterated, “I would strongly suggest you ask the Prime Minister.”

Cummings also directed questions about the election date to Rowley, saying, “You have to ask him that as well.”

Other PNM MPs were similarly evasive.

Lopinot/Bon Air West MP Marvin Gonzales responded to questions with a laugh, while Attorney General Reginald Armour chuckled, adding, “Ha ha ha, ask the Prime Minister that.”

Diego Martin Central MP Symon de Nobriga simply stated, “I’m late.”

At the time, it was 9.58 am, just before Parliament began at 10 am.

Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi ignored questions, walking briskly through the security checkpoint without comment.

UNC declares readiness for polls

Despite having only three confirmed candidates compared to the PNM’s 32, the United National Congress (UNC) yesterday asserted its preparedness for the upcoming election.

UNC chairman and Oropouche West MP Davendranath Tancoo declared, “The UNC is 100 per cent ready for general election whenever Keith Rowley calls it.”

This sentiment was echoed by UNC deputy leader David Lee, who said, “The UNC is always ready for whenever the election is called.”

While the election date was not announced yesterday, Lee expressed confidence that it would not happen soon, citing challenges within the PNM and national issues.

“I personally don’t feel so because of the amount of issues going on in his party presently and what is happening in the country. He needs time to regroup. So, I don’t personally feel he will call it today (yesterday),” Lee said.

He added, however, that the passage of the EBC report in Parliament would set the stage for the election.

Lee also dismissed speculation about Browne replacing Rowley in Diego Martin West, suggesting it was a diversion tactic.

“I think it’s a change of conversation in the country. Over the last week what has been happening with the SRC report and also the Tobago airport issues, I think it’s really to change the conversation … and that powerful protest rally that we saw outside Whitehall on Saturday.”

He was referring to protests by union leaders who marched to the Prime Minister’s Office, delivering a letter and urging the public to refrain from voting for the current government over its proposal to accept the Salary Review Commission’s hefty salary increase recommendations for the prime minister, president, opposition leader and other high-ranking public officials.

UNC deputy leader Dr Roodal Moonilal also labelled reports of Browne’s candidacy as “fake news” and a “hoax.”

“Dr Browne said he was not invited or asked or requested or blessed, as he said. So, I don’t comment on these kinds of speculation,” Moonilal stated.

The Sunday Guardian has reported that Browne received Dr Rowley’s blessing to run for the Diego Martin West seat, a PNM stronghold for decades. However, Browne took to social media to say, “I wish to categorically state that I have not been approached by the Constituency of Diego Martin West with respect to nomination as an electoral candidate, and I have had no such conversations or intentions or ‘blessings.’ Anything published to suggest otherwise is at best speculation or at worst the result of pure and deliberate mischief.”

The Sunday Guardian story, however, did not say he was approached by the constituency executive.

The post Rowley silent on claims Browne tipped to run for Diego West first appeared on CNC3.