Rejected Tsoiafatt Angus ponders next move

REJECTED THA election candidate Dr Denise Tsoiafatt Angus says she is contemplating her next move. Tsoiafatt Angus, who was seeking to be the PNM’s candidate for the Scarborough/Calder Hall seat in the upcoming election, was rejected by the Tobago Council’s screening committee. Incumbent Marslyn Melville-Jack, the Secretary for Community Development, Enterprise Development and Labour, was retained as the candidate.

The screening committee is chaired by PNM Tobago Council political leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine. Davidson-Celestine became Tobago Council leader after winning a run-off election against Kelvin Charles on January 26. She did so with the support of Tsoiafatt Angus and Secretary for Finance and the Economy Joel Jack.

Told on Tuesday that Tsoiafatt Angus’ rejection is being viewed as a “slap in the face” by her supporters, Davidson-Celestine said: “I would not say that. I want to give the public the assurance that there are opportunities for every person who would have put their foot in the ring to serve within the PNM and to serve in various capacities and also at different levels.”

Acknowledging Tsoiafatt Angus had supported her in the run-off, Davidson-Celestine said the screening process was rigorous.

“But at the end of the day, the committee determined, based on all the information, who is the best person to represent the electoral district.” Contacted for comment on Wednesday, Tsoiafatt Angus said her supporters are disappointed. “I believe that is the way my supporters have taken it because I encouraged them to go out and support her (Davidson-Celestine) in large numbers,” she told Newsday via Whatsapp. “Many of them have been recalling those pictures of her surrounded in purple (Tsoiafatt Angus’ campaign colour for the internal election) and how hard they worked to convince the people and now are very hurt over the situation. In my attempts to calm their emotions, they continue to express how betrayed they feel.” Tsoiafatt Angus, who is also the Tobago Festivals Commission chairman, said she has not come to terms with the outcome. “I have not been able to encapsulate how I really feel. Only after a few days of prayer and reflection will I be able to give my comments on how I feel and what I will do.”