The PNM’s rejection of several incumbents as candidates for the upcoming general election is an attempt to change the party’s image, political analysts say. As to whether this would have an impact on voters, they remained unsure, noting that supporters always voted for party but it was the undecided who would be more likely to vote on candidates and issues. “Yes, he is trying to change the image of the PNM and his own image too as they go into the general election,” Dr Bishnu Ragoonath said.
Ragoonath said the change was an effort to move the PNM from the old guard to one Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley would prefer, which would support his goals and aspirations “Yes, he’s also trying to change the ethnic image, which began with the appointment of Diane Baldeo-Chadeesingh and Avinash Singh as senators.”
Baldeo-Chadeesingh has since withdrawn from the general election race. She had been chosen for the Chaguanas East constituency last December but the PNM issued a press release on Tuesday saying she had “withdrawn her candidacy due to personal reasons.” Ragoonath said: “But he’s not trying to change what exists, he’s just trying to broaden the support base of the party. “He’s trying to ensure the PNM comes across as fair, nationalist and more broad-based.
And will it give the PNM an advantage in the general election? “To some extent it would work because he would be able to control the party much more than he controlled it in the past,” Ragoonath said. Responding to a question, Ragoonath said he was not sure Rowley had a bad image.
Winford James
Dr Winford James said there was no evidence to suggest that Rowley, who leads the PNM screening committee, masterminded the changing of general election candidates. “Not that he hasn’t, you know. It’s just that there’s no evidence.” James said constituency groups nominate candidates and the screening committee, through a voting system, selected them. James said he was not sure Rowley’s vote carried any more weight than any one else’s, but added that a leader could sway people.
He said he could not comment on the image of the PNM since he was yet to see the final list of candidates. As for the reported disenchantment of incumbents who were rejected as candidates, James said they had indicated they would accept their replacements. “There is no law that says you have to stay with the incumbents.” He noted that three from the old guard, Colm Imbert, Marlene McDonald and Rowley himself, were still with the PNM.
James said PNM supporters would vote for whomever the party put up. It was the undecided voters who might look at the candidates themselves, he said. As to whether they would support the PNM because of the new image, James said he was not so sure.
Mukesh Basdeo
Political analyst Mukesh Basdeo said when Rowley took over leadership of the PNM in 2010 he did say one of his plans was to make the party as broad-based as possible. Basdeo said previously other ethnic groups in the Afro-dominated PNM were in the minority and put to contest seats they would be sure to lose. He noted, under Rowley’s leadership, Indians like Clarence Rambharat and Terrence Deyalsingh had been put as candidates in crucial marginal seats.
There seemed to be an attempt to change the ethnic image of the PNM and also an attempt to bring in new, fresh blood, he said. “They seem to be trying to have the old and the young, and a broader base altogether at the same time.” Whether Rowley’s political strategies were successful or not would depend on the voters, in particular, the undecided, Basdeo said. He said race would always be a factor in general elections but the undecided would look at the candidates and issues raised.