UNC quashes speculation over MPs

THE Opposition United National Congress (UNC) on Tuesday quashed speculation that four of its incumbents will not contest their respective constituencies in this year's general election. They are Dr Roodal Moonilal (Oropouche East), Fazal Karim (Chaguanas East), Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie (Caroni Central) and Ramona Ramdial (Couva North).

Incumbent UNC MPs Dr Surujrattan Rambachan (Tabaquite), Dr Tim Gopeesingh (Caroni Central), Ganga Singh (Chaguanas West) and Dr Fuad Khan (Barataria/San Juan) are not standing for re-election. Rambachan, Gopeesingh and Khan all announced they would not seek nomination for their constituencies.

The screening committee, chaired by party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, selected Opposition senator Saddam Hosein to contest Barataria/San Juan. Attorney Dinesh Rambally was chosen as the Chaguanas West candidate.

In St Augustine, there are questions over whether incumbent Congress of the People (COP) MP Prakash Ramadhar will stand for re-election. On June 16, general secretary Dave Tancoo said the UNC has screened nominees for St Augustine but has not yet chosen a candidate. Ramadhar has, so far, declined to comment on his political future. COP political leader Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan said while Ramadhar is still a member, he has not been active in the party. The COP has been de-linked from the UNC since the People’s Partnership coalition ended after the September 2015 general election.

In response to rumours that Moonilal, Karim, Tewarie and Ramdial would not be chosen, Tancoo said, "Until an announcement is made, then we will be sure as to who the candidates are. Right now, everybody is speculating."

He said the party will host a virtual meeting later this week and "a couple more candidates" will be announced. Last weekend, the UNC said it had completed screening nominees for the 39 constituencies in Trinidad it is contesting. Among those screened was Princes Town MP Barry Padarath, who is in Florida.

Padarath was screened virtually on June 19 and is making arrangements to return home with his daughter Sejal. He left TT in March, one day before the borders were closed to prevent the spread of covid19.

The UNC, which is not contesting the Tobago East and Tobago West seats, has announced 16 of its 39 candidates who will contest the election.

Moonilal said, "We are cautiously optimistic that we will find favour with the screening committee. There is a process that takes time.

"The UNC has attracted numerous excellent candidates, so the process takes more time than in the PNM that is bankrupt for candidates."

On rumours that he may not be chosen, Tewarie said, "Speculation. When it is decided, whatever the decision, I will speak." Karim said he was screened on June 17 and "the screening went very well." He added, "I await official communication from the leadership and the screening committee of the party."

When contacted, Ramdial said, "No comment."