At least three political analysts are divided on whether the resignation of former Public Utilities minister Robert Le Hunte will have any impact fallout for the People's National Movement heading into the general election campaign.
Le Hunte suddenly resigned over the weekend and it was immediately accepted by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who replaced him in the ministry with Fitzgerald Hinds and Jason Williams in the Senate.
Analyst Derek Ramsamooj said he did not think this would affect the PNM's campaign.
"There is no political fallout, however, because the strength of the PNM as a political institution would not be threatened by any individual who leaves the party," Ramsamooj said.
NATCA pollster Dr Vishnu Bisram echoed this conclusion.
"I do not think an issue like this has any up or down, any advantage or disadvantage for the PNM, or for any political party in Trinidad. People don’t really vote on these kinds of issues. People are party-affiliated and ultimately it’s what the party presents that will determine victory or defeat," Biram said.
But there was an alternative view from Dr Indira Rampersad, lecturer in Political Science/International Relations at the University of the West Indies.
Rampersad predicted political problems for the PNM as it gears up for the general election.
She said, "Whenever a member of a party resigns, especially a governing party, it suggests a level of instability and like I said, on the eve of an election you don’t want that sense of instability pervading the party and to some extent even the Government."
As it relates to whether Le Hunte's resignation has overshadowed the controversy over the visit of Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and her contingent in March, both Rampersad and Bisram agreed that matter will not simply go away and will remain on the minds of citizens.
However, Ramsamooj said like other matters, this too may soon be forgotten.
Political analyst Winford James also told Guardian media on Sunday that Le Hunte's resignation would not significantly impact the PNM.
"The PNM is a monolith in which no one is bigger than the party. I imagine they have many options to replace Le Hunte. Politically, it is uncomfortable because the Prime Minister has to answer questions and the Minister himself has to answer questions.
"There is obviously some dissention at senior levels. The most important thing here is what was the policy over which the minister has parted company with the Prime Minister," James said.
