Top People's National Movement (PNM) sources have revealed that troops are standing on guard, and monitoring closely the Kamla Persad-Bissessar camp, after her resounding victory in the UNC's internal elections last Sunday. In fact, the Sunday Guardian has learnt that a top brass meeting has been planned for Wednesday at Balisier House, to discuss all pertinent issues causing disenchantment in constituencies. The top source said, "We are strengthening and guarding the party. It is not that the United National Congress (UNC) is posing a threat to us, whether united or divided, because we are a strong party. "However, what we have noticed is that there is disenchantment among the grassroots. Many people are not satisfied, and we are going to meet to discuss these issues.
"An election cannot be won without the grassroots, and we need to deal with the cries of the people. That is why the walkabouts have commenced. "If the issue is not addressed, then we can face some problems." Touching briefly on the issue of a Cabinet reshuffle, the top source said. "Some ministers have failed to perform. When the Prime Minister opted to bring new blood into the Cabinet, it was to get the job done efficiently. "Some of the ministers started off to work. However, some of them are too comfortable, and are not working as planned. "Some of the previous ministers were removed from Cabinet because of this type of tardiness. "The Prime Minister has said before that all ministers must be committed, and there will be no stopping until this happens."
Members surprised
Another party official also admitted that members were surprised by the overwhelming support for Persad-Bissessar. "Her victory is something to be concerned about. What is our advantage is that the UNC continues to squabble over who will lead the party. "Once they are united, we will face a challenge. If votes are added together, it will surpass the PNM, and this is proven by the results of the last election. "We have lost some ground, because people on the grassroots level believe that they have been forgotten.
We have to earn back that trust. "Also, the controversial issue of corruption surrounding the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott) has tarnished the PNM. "We fought the last general election on corruption, and now the circumstances surrounding the Brian Lara Stadium are scandalous, and we are not in a position to point fingers. "We definitely need to strengthen our ground troops to win the next election. "However, what we have in our favour is that we have not taken away any social programmes, and that is a plus for any party contesting an election."
Enill: The PNM is not asleep
Party chairman Conrad Enill said the Government was not threatened by the victory of Persad-Bissessar, but instead was committed to serving the people of T&T. "The PNM has always taken the view that at all times it will be responsive as it can be to the needs of the people of T&T. Anyone who wants to compete with us has to do so on that basis. As we continue to work, the people of T&T will determine who is best to lead them. "The PNM is not sleeping. We have moved the economy from $12 billion to over $50 billion whilst in office. I will repeat: The PNM is not sleeping."
Wake-up call
However, political scientist Bishnu Ragoonath says the victory should serve as a wake-up call for the ruling party, given that the doors for unity talks are open. "There always remains the possibility of some degree of unity in the Opposition. Once there is an united Opposition, the PNM will face a significant challenge." Saying that gender was not an issue, Ragoonath said:
"The PNM is at a low rate because people are disenchanted. If it continues, people are not going to vote for the PNM. "The UNC cannot win an election. They have to go into an accommodation with the Congress of the People (COP). "If this happens, they will give the PNM a real run for their money."