A GROUP of PNM financiers is convinced that the best way for the party to win the upcoming general elections is without Political Leader Patrick Manning. Polls indicate that Manning is sliding swiftly in the ratings and is now second to Congress of the People leader Winston Dookeran. The anxious financiers met secretly last week at a Chaguaramas location to discuss several issues relating to the impending general elections and to try and find out why Manning seems bent, at all costs, on destabilising the party when all the polls indicate the party stands a better than reasonable chance of returning to power, albeit primarily because of the split within opposition forces. At least one PNM MP reportedly attended the meeting. "Manning is operating like a loose cannon," one concerned financier confided to TnT Mirror on condition of anonymity. "It's well known within party circles that he does not listen to anyone, or should I say he listens to a few people, but then he does as he very well likes. "But there is no way to move him. At least, not at this moment." The insider said the MP made it clear to the concerned financiers that it would be foolhardy to try and move Manning now as he has total control of the party and the country at this time. However, if the PNM loses the General Election, the MP reminded the gathering that the constitution of the PNM allows for others to challenge for the leadership of the party. "What has come out of the meeting is that several MPs had made it clear to Manning that they were not prepared to support the idea of an Executive President, and certainly not prepared to support him as Executive President. "And that is why certain MPs are being shown the door. "Apparently, Manning wants to fill the Cabinet with rookies so that he will have no opposition to his whims and fancies. "The Prime Minister already functions as an Executive President, only in name is he denied the title. "But the Prime Minister is also a very shrewd politician, and in the advent of a PNM loss at the polls, he does not want an adversary to emerge from within the PNM." Since the Prime Minister began the election campaign, there has been a poor turnout for political meetings, prompting the PNM campaign organisers to mobilise constituents from across the country to attend all meetings. "He (Manning) is turning off the (PNM) base," the insider declared. "A lot of senior activists are worried; when Ian (Atherley) can say publicly that he is so upset over the marginalising of Diane Seukeran from the San Fernando West seat and he is prepared to go to war over the issue, then you know that trouble is brewing within the party. "The talk on the ground is that a lot of PNM supporters are being turned off and there is nothing coming from the party to 'woo' undecided voters to vote for the PNM. "The financiers are convinced that Manning has lost 15 percent of his voting block and unless there is a change in direction, that figure is expected to increase by the time he announces the date of the election. "Some of his most ardent supporters are also 'pissing' mad that he refused to heed their advice in late 2006 when he was urged to call the general election in December last year. "Everybody told him to call the blasted election, the UNC was in disarray and the COP had just been formed and neither of the opposition parties would have been in a competent state to challenge the PNM. "Now, the opposition forces have been given time to activate their different constituents and if they can mend their fences, the PNM would be in serious trouble. Thankfully, it does not seem they are likely to merge as one united opposition. "He had the perfect excuse to call the election; most of his senior advisors were telling him it was his best option, not like '95 when he acted on his own. But he dismissed the advice and wanted to do things his way. "Once again, if he manages to lose from this position, he will be held solely responsible."