He didn't know he was going to step down. He had to have thought he was going to win this election.
To be honest, I don't think anyone knows why he called the election besides himself.
Maybe he was delusional and thought he was going to win by a greater number of seats proving that his "vision" and the party's vision are what the population wanted.
because if HE didnt call an election he would have had the motion of no confidence brought up against him and then he would have been REMOVED as leader by force!
what i don't understand - why the Rowley supporters behaving in the manner. - Riot police have to be called in to deal with them. They were blaming everyone including the media for the downfall of the PNM. At one time i am sure some of the supporters would attack the cameraman.
one thing manning have done which i think no other PM after him can do - is self glorification. He live it up to the max during his tenure - sometimes better than the President of the US. This was his true downfall - he forget all the people and focus on things that make himself look good