PNM gets rid of four
Sunday, September 20 2015 (T&T Newsday)Two weeks after tasting victory in the September 7 general election, the People’s National Movement (PNM) yesterday moved to clean house as the party dispensed with four of its longstanding members, one of whom was immediately expelled while the others are before its disciplinary committee.During the PNM’s general council meeting at Balisier House, Port-of-Spain — the first since its 23-18 win over the People’s Partnership coalition — the party also scoffed at the United National Congress’ court petition challenging the election results and in the same breath, announced long-awaited plans to begin the reconstruction of Balisier House next year.
Expelled from the PNM’s fold with immediate effect yesterday was Mayaro MP Rushton Paray, a card-holding member of the party, who contested the marginal seat on a UNC ticket in the general election.
Paray won the seat over the PNM’s candidate, attorney Clarence Rambharat, who has since been appointed Minister of Agriculture in the new Dr Keith Rowley-led administration.
PNM Chairman Franklin Khan said the party’s constitution was clear on members who contested elections against the party.
“The party’s constitution is clear that if you are a card-holding member of the PNM and you contest an election against the party, that leads to automatic expulsion, so the automatic expulsion was initiated on Mr Rushton Paray. He is now the Member of Parliament for Mayaro and he was a card-holding member of the PNM,” Khan told reporters at the post general council news briefing.
Khan presented documents which showed that Paray, a businessman and president of the Mayaro Chamber of Commerce, was admitted to the PNM on October 8, 2008.
“So, as we speak he has been officially expelled from the People’s National Movement,” he added.
Disciplinary proceedings, Khan announced, also have been launched against three other PNMites — controversial radio talk show host Ricardo Welch, otherwise known as the Gladiator, one-time PNM activist and vocal supporter Christine “Twiggy” Levia and member Barry Garcia. The latter had openly supported Pennelope Beckles-Robinson for leadership of the party.
“Whereas Mr Paray was led to automatic expulsion, the others we have to initiate disciplinary proceedings as per the constitution and the constitution indicates that any member whose conduct is in the question of the general council inimical to the interests of the movement shall be liable to disciplinary action as the general council may determine so disciplinary proceedings were initiated today against three members of the PNM,” he said, naming Welch, Levia and Garcia as the members, who were now before the investigative arm of the disciplinary committee.
Khan said Welch joined the PNM in 1990 while Levia and Garcia were accepted into the party’s fold on January 1, 1968 and April 13, 1982, respectively.
The PNM chairman said the trio were suspended pending the outcome of the investigation after they “transgressed beyond reason during the conduct of the election.” He said: “At the end of the day, we are a serious party, one that is governed by rules and regulations. Our longevity, 60 years as a premium political institution, is largely based on our robust internal processes. We have survived this length of time because of the processes of the People’s National Movement which we adhere to religiously and based on this, we saw it fit to initiate disciplinary action on these three people.” During the briefing, Khan also responded to the Justice Dean Mira Dean Armorer’s ruling in the High Court on Friday, which gave the greenlight to the UNC to proceed with its legal challenge of the general election results.
The UNC is seeking to have the results overturned on grounds that the Elections and Boundaries Commission’s (EBC’s) decision to extend the voting time in Trinidad by one hour was illegal.
Khan said the UNC was free to challenge the general election result.
“There is due process in Trinidad and Tobago. They have gone the route of an election petition which they have been granted leave to so do,” he said.
“Obviously, once due process has started we have no comment to make. It is largely a matter between the EBC and the UNC, on whether the EBC acted within their remit and jurisdiction.” Khan said the PNM’s candidates, who contested the six marginal constituencies in question, were party to the petition.
“Our lawyers have indicated that they do not stand the ghost of a chance of victory but it is law and due process has to take place. We are not overly perturbed by that