PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar caught many observers off-guard by her choice of her attorney general in former PNM AG John Jeremie, SC, when both were sworn in as the nucleus of a Cabinet on May 1, and since then speculation has run rife as to who else she will have sworn in as ministers on May 3.

Two political analysts joined in the speculation and shared their views with Newsday on May 2.

NACTA pollster Dr Vishnu Bisram said, "I expect it will be a large Cabinet, and a mix of the old and the new."

He said Persad-Bissessar will have 26 MPs plus 15 government senators, many of whom would expect ministerial positions.

"The only hold-overs will be Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal and Couva North MP Jearlean John and they will definitely be given ministries," he said reflecting on past UNC cabinets.

"I would be surprised if San Fernando West MP Dr Michael Dowlath is not made minister of education."

Bisram expects Oropouche West MP Dr Lackram Bodoe to be made minister of health.

He expects attorneys Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein and Aranguez/St Joseph MP Devesh Maharaj "to be in the line-up."

"There has been a lot of disappointment that Maharaj was not chosen as AG. But the Prime Minister probably has her reasons."

Newsday asked if AG John Jeremie would likely have an understudy, especially in light of past rumours of health issues.

Bisram said yes. He said at the recent swearing in of PM and AG, Jeremie's voice had not sounded strong. "Something was amiss."

Newsday asked about Tunapuna MP Roger Alexander being tipped for a post under the umbrella of national security but without him having had past parliamentary experience and not being a qualified attorney. Bisram replied that other past ministers of national security had been green to Parliament, as he cited Brig Joseph Theodore, who served in the Basdeo Panday administration.

Political scientist Dr Bishnu Ragoonath gave Newsday his opinion on how the appointments might be made the next day.

"I can't predict what she is going to do.

[caption id="attachment_1152946" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Attorney General John Jeremie after they were sworn in on May 1 at President's House, St Ann's. - Photo by Faith Ayoung[/caption]

"I expect now that she has not only the 19 MPs that she had previously as shadow ministers, but now that she will have the additional seven UNC MPs plus the two in Tobago – an additional nine persons – plus she will have the 15 government members of the Senate."

The Tobago People's Party won the two Tobago seats on April 28 but the party has not said if it will join with the UNC.

Ragoonath said Persad-Bissessar will have available in both houses of Parliament and additional nine MPs and 15 senators, adding up to 24 extra parliamentarians, on top of the UNC's previous 19 MPs, from which to choose her ministers.

"So I can't say whether she will stick with these (incumbent 19) people.

"For example, Fyzabad MP Davendranath Tancoo has shadowed finance be