Reports that PNM San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning is contemplating contesting the seat again, depending on his health, are “premature” and have been blown out of proportion, says San Fernando East public relations officer Anthony Clarke. He said yesterday that former minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid —Manning’s spokesman at a meeting on Monday—may have been expressing a personal view.
Different interpretations of the reported remarks emerged yesterday, with Manning shedding no light on the reports he was eyeing the seat to contest again, health allowing. The T&T Guardian contacted PNM San Fernando East constituency executive members, Hamid and Manning. The constituency is the PNM’s strongest unit with about 36 party groups. Manning said: “I didn’t say one thing. I haven’t read any headlines. I have nothing to say.”
Manning referred queries to Abdul-Hamid. Abdul-Hamid reiterated that if his health permitted and the constituency wished to nominate Manning, he would be prepared to consider. He added: “He has opened the doors to that possibility, depending on his health and if he is fit. Judging from the audience’s overwhelming enthusiasm, it was a positive response.”
Abdul-Hamid said Manning met PNM leader Keith Rowley two weeks ago and the leadership invited San Fernando East to submit nominations for candidacy. He said Manning was asked his position and had asked for two weeks to give a response, and those two weeks were supposed to be up on Monday.
“But Dr Rowley is overseas and so we have to await his return and Mr Manning has now indicated if his health allows and the constituency wishes, he will be prepared to consider it,” he added.
However, San Fernando East PRO Clarke, to whom the unit’s secretariat referred all queries on the issue, said: “But at the end of the day he (Manning) didn’t make the statement reported in the papers. Mr Hamid might have been expressing a personal opinion as the only thing relayed to us at the meeting on Mr Manning’s behalf, was that Mr Manning was supposed to speak to the leader but was told Rowley wasn’t here.
“So Mr Manning had nothing to report to our meeting. Nobody from the executive or Mr Manning spoke to the media after the meeting.” Asked about Manning’s statements in recent years that he would step down at the end of this parliamentary term and was in the “departure lounge”, Clarke said Manning might have reconsidered. However, he felt Monday’s statements were “blown out of proportion as everybody is taking the view that Mr Hamid spoke on Mr Manning’s behalf.”
‘Served with distinction’
On the PNM’s executive’s view of Manning possibly contesting again, PNM PRO Faris Al-Rawi said : “Mr Manning has led the PNM with distinction for over 43 years. The indications in the media was he would, if his health permitted consider running.
“I think it only proper the PNM wishes Mr Manning the very best in the recovery he’s undergoing and if he chooses to present himself for nomination, PNM’s mechanisms will move into gear as they have done for everyone else, Dr Rowley included. The screening team will sit and no doubt consider its position.
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Manning, 68, the country longest serving parliamentarian, suffered a stroke on January 23, 2012, which paralysed his right side and affected his speech. He was on leave from Parliament in 2012 and 2013, having sought medical care in Cuba and the US, before returning earlier this year. Manning has represented the San Fernando East constituency since 1971.