Rowley’s Allegations of Cult Plot: A ‘Dead-Cat’ Tactic Amidst Governance Failures

On July 3rd, 2024, under parliamentary privilege, Keith Rowley entertained the nation with a story about a religious cult operating within the Strategic Services Agency [SSA]. He claimed this cult had been stockpiling weapons to affect a coup and replace his Government.

Fascinatingly, no members of this cult have been criminally charged for plotting the alleged coup to date.

It is also noteworthy that Rowley’s allegations were made under parliamentary privilege to prevent any legal action from being taken for defamation, much like the Emailgate lies.

This story sounds remarkably familiar: a religious group stockpiling ammunition to overthrow the elected government. Did they plan to do it later this July as well? On July 27th? Did he get this information via email?

Rowley and his public relations team are not just spinning a distraction. They are orchestrating a diversion to turn attention away from critical issues such as corruption accused Jindal, crime, property taxes, forex shortages, joblessness, increasing utility rates, high food prices, poverty, and other negative issues plaguing the country.

Political strategists call Rowley’s tale delivered in parliament the ‘dead-cat’ tactic. The dead-cat tactic involves a politician deliberately making a shocking announcement to divert media attention away from problems or failures in other areas of society.

Rowley is drowning in self-made failure and hopelessness. He has no idea how to run the country and is now making a fool of himself by attempting to orchestrate another Emailgate.

Rowley must stop embarrassing himself and making the Prime Minister’s office a laughingstock. He should instead spend his time working to improve the lives of our citizens.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC, MP
Leader of the Opposition
Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago,