Fuad Khan bows out, makes way for Saddam Hosein

YVONNE WEBB

Another long-standing member of the United National Congress (UNC), Dr Fuad Khan, has decided, once again, to call it quits from electoral politics.

Khan’s departure, which he announced at the UNC’s screening for general election candidates on Wednesday night in San Fernando, makes way for newbie senator Saddam Hosein to contest the San Juan / Barataria seat.

However, the UNC has not formally announced Hosein as his replacement. Hosein will face another political neophyte in the election, the People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate Senator Jason Williams – a former radio personality.

Khan, a urologist, said has had enough of the politics and wants to spend more time training younger urologists.

He denied he was afraid of losing the seat to Williams.

Khan said after serving 23 years as the MP for Barataria/San Juan he just was not “feeling it” anymore, the election adrenalin is not pumping through his veins this time.

He said he wanted to make way for younger people to carry on the party’s legacy, but pledged support for the UNC.

Prior to the UNC’s invitation to nominees, Khan had indicated an intention to step aside, but changed his mind and filed nomination papers.

However, at Wednesday night’s screening before the UNC panel led by his leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Khan indicated that his time had come to cease electoral politics.

Other long-standing UNC MP's have also bowed out of the race, including Ganga Singh, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan and Dr Tim Gopeesingh.