A NUMBER of Government Members of Parliament (MPs) are quaking in their boots as the axe is ready to fall on their heads when Prime Minister Patrick Manning rings the bell for the upcoming general election.

Sources in the People’s National Movement (PNM) say about eight MPs are now counting their final days in the House of Representatives as they are not on the list of candidates to be recommended to face the polls in this election.

Among those who are to be black-listed are former Works and Transport Minister Franklin Khan, former Energy Minister Eric Williams, Junior National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, Point Fortin MP Lawrence Achong, La Brea MP Hedwige Bereaux, San Fernando West MP, Diane Seukeran, Tunapuna MP Eddie Hart and Laventille West Eulalie James.

In Tobago there could be a new candidate for either the Tobago East seat now held by Eudine Job-Davis or Stanford Callender (Tobago West), the source said.

Port of Spain St. Ann’s West MP John Rahael, (Minister of Works) and Agriculture Minister Jarrette Narine, who represents Arouca North are on the doubtful list.

A PNM source said that Manning is coming with a dynamic set of candidates for this election which will now be contested in 41 constituencies. However, it is not going to be the end of the political life of some of the current MPs as they may be placed in the Senate.

Residents in Laventille say they are not going to support Hinds for re-election because of the lack of proper representation, which has resulted in an upsurge in criminal activities.

James is bowing out politics for health reasons.

Both Khan and Williams are facing corruption charges and it is not likely their cases will be determined before elections.

Our source added further that even though Khan and Williams are cleared of the bribery charges they would still not be considered to contest a seat.

Khan is the representative for Ortoire/Mayaro while Williams represents Port of Spain South.

The PNM will be facing two political parties in this election, the “lame” United National Congress (UNC) and the newly-formed Congress of the People (COP). General election is constitutionally due next year, but there is speculation that Manning may call a snap election because of the failed attempt by the two warring factions in the UNC to unite.

Winston Dookeran has resigned as political leader of the UNC and has gone ahead earlier this month and form COP.

A number of current UNC MPs, councillors and activists have crossed over to COP.
The UNC is yet to find a leader for the party.

The Government says it does not see Dookeran’s party posing any threat to the PNM in the next election. Some political pundits are saying that if Manning does not announce the date of the election at the PNM’s Convention on October 14 and 15 at Chaguaramas, then it is definitely going to be next year.

The PNM has already started holding cottage meetings in the 41 constituencies, to put supporters on an election footing.

The Prime Minister promised to announce the date of the next general election “when the time is right.”

“Is the time now right?” some are asking.