Devant releases UNC numbers now

UNITED National Congress (UNC) member Devant Maharaj today released the personal cell phone numbers of current and former party members, including that of the Opposition Leader. Within recent weeks, Maharaj has released the phone numbers of the prime pinister, several government ministers and government members. He told Newsday his decision to release the personal contacts for his current and former UNC colleagues had nothing to do with a challenge from Attorney-General Faris Al-Rawi to release the personal phone numbers and e-mails of UNC members. Al-Rawi issued that challenge in the Senate on Tuesday night.

Maharaj told Newsday he did not previously release any UNC members' contact information because as the opposition, the UNC cannot offer any redress to citizens. But he said he released these numbers because the UNC as a party "has nothing to hide." Maharaj said the UNC is "the most accessible and compassionate political party in TT."

He said he was certain all UNC MPs will welcome calls from citizens "to share issues of mismanagement and incompetence of the government." Maharaj added the UNC can only "publicise the incompetence of the Rowley Administration."

Maharaj released the personal phone numbers of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, 17 UNC MPs and St Augustine MP Prakash Ramdhar. Ramadhar is a Congress of the People member.

Wade Mark and Khadijah Ameen were the only UNC senators' whose phone numbers were released by Maharaj. He did not release the numbers of UNC senators Saddam Hosein, Anita Haynes, Gerald Ramdeen or Taharqa Obika. Former members Stephen Cadiz and Kevin Ramnarine's numbers were also released by Maharaj.

On December 9, Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith said there is no criminal investigation into Maharaj circulating Dr Rowley's personal contact information on social media but warned citizens against making this kind of information public because it could jeopardise people's security.