PRIME Minister Stuart Young says his predecessor Dr Keith Rowley is not advising him in any form or fashion. He made this comment at a post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall on March 20.

Rowley announced his decision to retire from electoral politics on January 6. He resigned as prime minister on March 16. Young was sworn in as prime minister on March 17.

On March 18, Young advised President Christine Kangaloo to dissolve the Parliament and announced the election will take place on April 28.

Rowley is still PNM political leader. In a Facebook post on March 16, Rowley said while his term as PNM leader legally runs until 2026, he plans "to vacate this position at the earliest in consultation with the leadership of the movement."

At his first post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall, Young was asked how he has settled into his new position as prime minister and if Rowley is offering him any advice to help him.

"I have settled in very fine. Hit the ground running."

On whether Rowley is advising him in any way, Young said, "Dr Rowley is not holding my hand."

He added he has worked very closely with Rowley over the last nine-and-a-half years.

"He is someone I have tremendous respect for. But Dr Rowley has made it clear, not only to me but to the population. I wanted him to retire, eh? 'I (Rowley) am going home to enjoy my retirement.'"

Young was asked to explain why he decided to call an election one day after he was sworn in as prime minister.

He said, "I addressed that at the start. A prime minister has to take a decision. The decision was taken. See you all at the polls on April 28.

Asked if he had any advice to the government's political opponents, Young replied, "Lead by example."

Rowley was unavailable for comment.

In separate interviews on March 19, UWI political scientists Dr Bishnu Ragoonath and Dr Indira Rampersad shared differing views on whether the PNM chances of winning the general election could be affected with Young at the helm of the government while Rowley remains PNM political leader.

Ragoonath saw no problem for the PNM contesting the election.

"At this point in time, the PNM has clearly indicated Stuart Young is their leader. That is leading them into the election."

Ragoonath said Rowley is absent from the PNM's list of candidates and political advertisements ahead of the election.

"I can't be sure but I would like to think that what Keith Rowley will probably do or not do, is simply he will absent himself from a lot of the campaign, so it will not be confusing to supporters."

Ragoonath repeated that even if Rowley remains as PNM leader going into the election it should not affect the party.

"The PNM will push the message that Stuart Young is the man who they (people) have to deal with. They don't have to deal with Keith Rowley.

He said once that message is pushed hard there will be no problem.

Ragoonath also saw no issue with Rowley being PNM leader, in relation to constitutional questions as to who the prime minister should be.

He said, "Once the p