Oropouche East a ‘UNC fortress’

Dr Roodal Moonilal -
Dr Roodal Moonilal -

INCUMBENT Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal declared he stands ready to defend the UNC stronghold constituency once he gets the green light from the party to do so. Moonilal made this declaration while dismissing a challenge from his PNM rival Clifford Rambharose

In a post on his Facebook page, Rambharose declared, “I plan to give the sitting MP the fight of his life.” Rambharose was selected last week by the PNM’s screening committee to contest Oropouche East in this year’s general election. He thanked the Prime Minister, the screening committee and the PNM Oropouche East executive “for once again putting their faith in me to represent this great party.”

Rambharose contested the Oropouche West seat in the September 7, 2015 polls but lost. In response to Rambharose’s challenge, Moonilal countered, “Oropouche East is a fortress seat of the UNC. It is ‘where eagles dare’ and our political opponents are assured of leaving in pieces.”

While he has not been named as the UNC’s candidate, Moonilal said, “I am most willing and able to carry the UNC flag again.” He said he was prepared to subject himself to the “scrutiny and stiff examination” by the UNC’s screening committee. Moonilal has been Oropouche East MP since 2002.

At a virtual meeting on May 28, UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the party wanted to complete its screening of general election nominees this week. Describing Rambharose as “a serial candidate” in Oropouche East, Moonilal quipped, “He is off the blocks and we continue to monitor his misadventures.” He added, “I hope he does not obtain an unassailable lead in the campaign before the UNC names its candidate.”

To date, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan (Tabaquite) and Ganga Singh (Chaguanas West) are the only incumbent UNC MPs who are not standing for re-election. MPs Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie and Dr Lackram Bodoe are quietly confident they will be chosen to stand for re-election in their respective Caroni Central and Fyzabad constituencies.

Tewarie said, “I have filed my nomination papers and look forward to being screened.” He was optimistic of being chosen, given his track record of public service. Tewarie explained that because of his optimism he can “contribute whatever and whenever I can to this country.” Tewarie said his commitment to contribute to the development of TT has been a cornerstone of his career in public life.

“I will continue to contribute. It’s (TT) the only country I have and belong to.” Bodoe, a doctor and former South West RHA chairman, said he filed his nomination papers for Fyzabad but has not been screened yet.

Asked if he was confident about being chosen as the UNC’s Fyzabad candidate, Bodoe replied, “It’s entirely up to the screening committee.”
Incumbent UNC MPs David Lee (Pointe-a-Pierre) and Ramona Ramdial (Couva North) were confident they too will be contesting the polls once again.

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"Oropouche East a ‘UNC fortress’"

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