Kamla: Nafeesa has seen the light

UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar thanked former PNM deputy political leader Nafeesa Mohammed for embracing the UNC as TT's political salvation and endorsing the UNC Baratara/San Juan candidate Saddam Hosein. Mohammed resigned from the PNM on Tuesday and has openly endorsed Hosein to win the Barataria/San Juan seat which she has unsuccessfully contested in the past for the PNM.

Speaking with reporters before going on a motorcade through Chaguanas, Persad-Bissessar smiled and declared, "Well. I am very happy that Nafeesa has seen the light."

In a democracy where people are free to choose whoever they wish to support politically, Persad-Bissessar said, "She (Mohammed) has made the only choice at this time which is support the UNC candidate (Hosein)."

Asked if Mohammed will be working in the UNC's camp for the August 10 general election, Persad-Bissessar said, "Well she endorsed Saddam. I expect she will work with Saddam there (in Barataria/San Juan). But I have not spoken with her." She added, "Saddam is well poised to win that seat."

Asked if Mohammed approached her to join the UNC or would be joining the party, Persad-Bissessar declared, "Everyone is welcome in the house of the rising sun."

Asked if she was concerned about five candidates contesting the key marginal Chaguanas East seat, Persad-Bissessar replied, "The UNC will win Chaguanas West with flying colours. The UNC will win Chaguanas East with flying colours. I have no doubt whatsoever. I am very confident."

UNC Chaguanas East candidate Vandana Mohit than she and UNC Chaguanas West candidate Dinesh Rambally will "paint the town yellow" on August 10.

Mohit was grateful for the large turnout of UNC supporters for the motorcade, despite the bad weather. She said, if elected MP, she would be continuing her work which she started as Chaguanas mayor, at the parliamentary level.

While Persad-Bissessar, Mohit, Rambally and former Chaguanas East MP Fazal Karim were among those wearing masks, several of the over 100 UNC supporters were not wearing masks or were wearing them improperly. Among the UNC supporters gathered for the motoracde was political analyst Dr Kirk Meighoo clad in a bright yellow UNC 2020 campaign shirt.

Some UNC supporters were observed not maintaining proper physically distancing on the road or packed into vehicles without wearing masks, as the motorcade moved off in a Carnival like atmosphere.