Human beings love arguing. There's something gratifying about pointing arrows and playing devil's advocate. It seems to bring a sense of satisfaction that outweighs the sense of harmony that stems from agreements. Most Trinbagonians are in a tricky mental space, brought about by poverty and huge doses of lies and propaganda that sow hatred, fear and a simultaneous sense of superiority and helplessness.
With the economy in freefall is a UNC general election victory certain? The short answer to that question is 'no'. There are too many rumours coupled with racist suspicions, accusations and innuendoes from both sides. For example, the very recent resignation and crossing of the floor by this fellow Tabiska Obika. He is a black man who occupied a high position in the UNC until very recently. He resigned his position and immediately declared his support for the PNM barely two months before a local government election. That a black man would leave the UNC for whatever reason is a big thing and going across to the PNM in the way that he did sends a very clear message: "There is no place in the UNC for anybody who is not Indian."
Unfortunately, he watered down this news by immediately joining the PNM in a very public way giving rise to rumours that he had been bribed away from his position in the UNC by the PNM who has promised him the mayor's seat in Point Fortin (which, of course, they hope to win in the upcoming local government elections.) Well, it's going to be a very short time when we will know for certain whether or not Mr. Obika will get any sort of "reward" for his crossing (whether its a mayoralty or otherwise), and if he does then people will draw their own conclusions.
Meanwhile, "back at the ranch" Kamla Persad Bissessar's best chance/hope for the Prime Minister's chair rests on her ability to present herself as a capable, caring technocrat capable of solving the country's economic woes. So far, she has been unable to show to the general public that she indeed has that capability. People look at her team and with only a few notable exceptions, regard them as weak. Unfortunately, the racial division in the country will dictate that if you are an Indian you must vote for the UNC, and if you are an African you must vote for the PNM and ability (perceived or otherwise) is not as important as it should be.
The PNM's big problem in the coming general elections (which are some two years away) is whether or not they can persuade enough of their supporters to come out and vote for them today. Many of their supporters are saying that they are fed up and simply will not vote. With the gerrymandered seats in the Parliament this then should be the UNC's best chance as most of the UNC supporters know that there is a great deal of disillusionment with the PNM at the moment. But all indications are that the local elections that are to be held on August 1th will have a very low poll. The problem that Mrs. Persad Bissessar has, is that the UNC, at the very least, has to ensure that it comes out with the same number of seats that it had going into the election. To this end, control of Sangre Grande's council is crucial. Control of this Council is currently with the UNC, but this is very "iffy" for both sides. If the PNM can take the Council at this time that will be an epic disaster for the UNC. Conversely, if the PNM more or less is able to maintain the status quo that will not be good news for Mrs. Persad Bissessar either. Her detractors (of whom there are many) will say with some justification that if in these bad times the UNC cannot improve it's position then the UNC can never win. In other words, the UNC has to do well in these local elections in order for Mrs. Persad Bissessar to be able to present herself as a credible alternative to Dr. Rowley.
No comments:
Post a Comment