By Sue-Ann Wayow

PEOPLE’S National Movement (PNM) chairperson Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly is adamant that the party will recover from the political beating received on April 28, warning against those who claim to love the PNM.

Dr Gadsby-Dolly via media release on Friday, maintained that the PNM was one of the strongest political forces in Trinidad and Tobago having lost elections only five times since its 69-year-old history.

She said, “The PNM is the party that has governed longest in this nation, but the party is not unfamiliar with the landscape of general election loss. The PNM is well aware that loss at the polls is often accompanied by grief, giving rise to internal recrimination, blaming, calls for resignation, all of this plays itself out within the party membership at various levels. This is par for the course.

“Critical at times such as these is strong, empathetic, visionary and compassionate leadership, which guides the party through this phase and into the next- the rebuilding.”

Dr Gadsby-Dolly said the PNM recoveries from election losses in 1986, 1995, 2000 and 2010 should be a catalyst for hope as the PNM was down but not out, denied but not defeated.

To the party’s detractors, she warned, “You will be well advised to take your vitriol elsewhere- the PNM has begun its rebuilding process, and our focus and resolve will not be shaken.”

The party’s interim chairperson said Trinidad and Tobago was depending on the PNM to be ready to return to stability and progressive governance.

“Pay our political opponents no mind and closely examine the horns of all who claim to love the PNM- none who seek our best interest will encourage hatred and divisiveness but unity,” she warned.

Dr Gadsby-Dolly said the focus of the PNM leadership will be to lead the party into free and fair internal elections, following the highest traditions of the PNM’s democratic and constitutional processes.

She thanked supporters and membership adding that the PNM executive will honour their trust and continue the work to heal and rebuild the party.

The party seemed to have been on unstable grounds since April 28 with the resignation of former political leader Dr Keith Rowley who revoked the appointments of Dr Gadsby-Dolly and Colm Imbert as deputy leaders in a  last minute move before he resigned.

Former prime minister Stuart Young also resigned from his position as chairman and former government minister Rohan Sinanan resigned as deputy political leader.

Member of Parliament elect for Arima Pennelope Beckles was chosen as Opposition Leader and a general council meeting was held to select Dr Gadsby-Dolly as interim chairperson and Imbert as interim vice-chair.

But the social media internal wars seemed to have continued with some posts being put up and removed by PNM members.

One by PNM’s General Secretary Foster Cummings remained.

He stated that he proudly supports Beckles, not just as Opposition Leader but as the next political leader of the PNM. It was posted on Facebook on Friday morning.

“My decision in this regard is unshaken notwithstanding these attacks.”

Cummings stated, “Given the information circulating in the public domain, I wish to state that I was not consulted and I certainly did not approve of the strategy engaged by those who took us from Government to Opposition in furtherance of their agenda. If today their nameless and faceless supporters wish for a change in the office I hold for the moment, they are all free to offer themselves at the internal elections which will be held soon as we move towards our Annual Convention.

“In due course I will have more to say on this matter but as General Secretary my first responsibility is to the party, the membership and the office that I hold. I refuse to publicly engage those who have been recruited to attack me and other party leaders personally in the hope that they can shift the blame and that their sponsors could possibly take control once more.”