PNM screening – Kareem Marcelle cheered at Balisier House

FROM 4.30 pm on December 2, supporters of attorney Kareem Marcelle, all clad in red and white T-shirts emblazoned with his name, waited for him to be screened by the People’s National Movement (PNM) committee as a potential candidate for the general election.

The party’s screening process for 15 candidates was held on December 2 at PNM headquarters, Balisier House, on Tranquillity Street.

With incumbent Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds withdrawing his name from consideration, there will be a new candidate for that seat. Marcelle is hoping to get the nod of the screening committee headed by partly leader Dr Keith Rowley.

Marcelle said he was elated and hopeful.

“This is the party that we know could take Trinidad and Tobago forward and only for betterment. Therefore, I am just grateful and looking forward to a successful screening,” he said.

Marcelle said he was extremely grateful for the people’s support as they chanted, “We want Kareem.”

Rowley, who only returned home over the weekend after attending a meeting in Barbados, turned up at Balisier House casually dressed and waved at supporters before making his way into the building.

It was he who, last week, at the post-Cabinet press briefing, announced Hinds had withdrawn from the race.

There were reports that the Laventille West executive was still expected to recommend Hinds as its candidate.

On December 2, dozens of supporters hugged and cheered for Marcelle as he walked along Melville Lane to Tranquillity Street with them to Balisier House.

Councillor for Beetham/Picton Darren Corridon said he fully supported Marcelle and was not on Hinds’ side. He said the voice of the people spoke and the people wanted Marcelle.

Corridon said he told the executive, of which he is a part, that he was supporting Marcelle and it was now up to the committee to choose.

A number of sitting MPs, also up for re-selection, were also at the screening. St Ann’s East MP and Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly was among them.

She said, when asked about the process, she had the support of her executive and for the past ten years worked as hard as she could.

“I put myself forward to receive the party’s mandate once again and to give this constituency the type of representation it deserves and I think I have given over the last ten years.”

Gadsby-Dolly said not that everything was perfect and that MPs get everything done that they want to do, but she served with spirit, passion and all of her heart.

As of 7 15 pm, party sources claimed incumbent MPs Faris Al-Rawi (San Fernando West), Brian Manning (San Fernando East), Roger Monroe (Toco/Sangre Grande) and Kennedy Richards (Pt Fortin) had been screened and selected for their respective seats.

Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland and St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh were also seen at Balisier House waiting to be screened.