UNC candidates call for debate

United National Congress (UNC) political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is yet to respond to challenger Vasant Bharath’s call for a public debate but the second challenger Christine Newallo-Hosein has endorsed it.

On Thursday Bharath, who has announced his candidacy for political leader in the November 26 UNC internal election, challenged the incumbent to a televised debate.

Bharath yesterday said he has not yet had a response from Persad-Bissessar. He reported the debate idea has received tremendous support on social media and radio call-in programmes.

Also supporting the idea is Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Christine Newallo-Hosein who this week announced she will also contest the leadership post. She informed Sunday Newsday that on Friday a letter was delivered to UNC general secretary Dave Tancoo and copied to the political leader asking to be part of any public debate and also requesting access to the membership listing.

“I think it is an excellent idea.

I would welcome it. I think the population has been asking for this public level of discourse to decide upon (candidates) just like it is done in the US presidential elections.”

She said the country is ready for this level of engagement.

Three calls to Persad-Bissessar’s cellphone yesterday went unanswered.

Asked about her campaign, Newallo-Hosein said it will be run very tightly and she is not planning any public meetings at this time.

Bharath said he continues to have meetings and reported he was in Sangre Grande and was scheduled to be in Caroni tonight and tomorrow evening.

He said there will be a full week of meetings with activists who can bring votes out. A public meeting is to be scheduled.