OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is advising the Prime Minister that the way in which he is attempting to anoint his successor Stuart Young is outside of the supreme law and the Constitution.
She said Rowley has two options, one being to dissolve the Parliament and call the elections within three months and let the President appoint Young as desired, or where there is no undisputed leader, the President can then consult with PNM ministers and make an appointment.
If Rowley, however, goes ahead with his plan to resign on March 16 as Prime Minister, but maintain his position as PNM political leader, she said he would have to face the ‘brilliant UNC’ lawyers in court, as that would a breach of the Constitution.
Persad-Bissessar was at the time addressing a UNC cottage meeting at the Moruga Tableland Government Primary School on March 10.
She told the audience that, “after PNM members loyally supported Rowley for over 40 years, he betrayed them with ingratitude and wickedly took away their democratic right to select the leader of their party.
Noting the meeting at Balisier House earlier on March 10, she said the coronation of Young could be announced any time, but she warned against his appointment as prime minister.
“Dissolve the Parliament. Call election Rowley.
“I am warning you, should you proceed with this manner, recklessly Rowley, you Stuart Young and the President would face the brilliant UNC lawyers in the court house of TT.
“You cannot proceed under section 76 (1) of the Constitution where there is, occasion to appoint a prime minister, that the president should appoint a member of the house who is the leader of the House.
“Rowley wants to go, but wants to keep one foot in the door. He said he will resign as prime minister, but he is staying as party leader.”
She advised, “Rowley 76 (1) the word leader is spelt with a capital L. When the constitution was changed, they changed it from leader with a common l to Leader with a capital L and that can only be the leader of the party in the house, which is Rowley.
“And then you cannot proceed under 76 (b) Rowley, you can’t go over 76 (b) either because that says, where it appears to the president the party does not have an undisputed leader.
“As long as Rowley holds on to the leadership, there is a disputed leader. So, you cannot proceed under 76 (1) A or B.
She said one of two things must happen. First Rowley will have to resign both, as prime minister and as party leader.
"The question is why he wants to hold on to the leadership of the party but he wants to part with the prime ministership, but that is for another day.
“He cannot proceed under 76 (1) a and b. You know where he can go, and Rowley I am giving you some free advice tonight. If you really want to anoint and appoint Stuart Young, give up both prime minister and also the party leadership and pack your bags and go.
“You cannot operate there. I warn you Rowley, should you and your puppet President attempt to action 76 (1) A and B, you would meet the brilliant UNC
