Prakash: I’ll wait and see

ST Augustine MP Prakash Ramadhar is adopting a wait and see attitude as to whether he will offer himself for re-election, he told Newsday yesterday.

Speculation has been rife over which Opposition candidates will run in the scheduled 2020 General Elections, in light of a purported “dream team” list of candidates published last week but then scotched as bogus by Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Yesterday a media house claimed unnamed sources had alleged a second list of Opposition candidates.

Ramadhar said he had seen neither list.

Newsday asked if he would make himself available to stand.

He replied, “The long and short of it is that I’m in a position where I am looking on and observing the state of the general politics. A lot of it needs repair.

“In terms of putting myself forward as a candidate, I’ll make that determination as it comes.”

He said much work must be done to ensure the next government of this country is worthy.

Newsday asked about his position given its reliance on relations between the UNC and COP.

“I’m confident that something will work itself out at the end. I do not know whether it will be a good thing or a bad thing. That’s why my position has always been to bring together the best people to look after the interests of the people and to do what is best for TT and the well-being of our nation and the long term viability of democracy.

“What that means is that we have to ensure that we cultivate the sort of people to come into politics that will ensure a sense of confidence, trustworthiness and competence.

“That has been my position since I came into politics. I am continuing my efforts.”

So far the leadership of both the United National Congress (UNC) and Congress of the People (COP) have given no indication of reviving the 2010 coalition that led to them being partners in a multi-party People’s Partnership Government.