Kamla supporters deny claims they broke covid19 rules

UNC MPs aligned to party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar's Star Team rejected claims by UNC activist Devant Maharaj that a meeting held by the team breached coivd19 protocols.

In a statement posted on social media, Maharaj alleged that a recent meeting in Barrackpore by the Star Team was "hastily convened without any care of regard for the health and safety of UNC supporters."

The team is contesting Sunday's UNC internal elections. Persad-Bissessar is hoping to be re-elected as the party leader.

He claimed covid19 precautions were not followed and the police intervened and stopped the meeting. Maharaj said there were pictures on social media that showed there was no social distancing at the meeting, even though people were wearing masks.

He wrote, "I am deeply concerned that the health and wellbeing of our elderly supporters is so cheaply being placed at risk in order to satisfy the ego of one person's bid to hold on to power at all costs."Princes Town MP Barry Padarath, who is supporting Persad-Bissessar and her team, dismissed Maharaj's allegations.

"Our Star Team abide by the covid regulations and protocols."

Padarath said that on Wednesday and over the past few weeks, the team held a series of small cottage meetings. He said all those meetings were incident-free.

However, he said, "I am advised that in another constituency yesterday, villagers found out that Mrs Bissessar was in the area and attempted to meet with her." Padarath said police on patrol told them to comply with covid regulations and they did so. He reiterated that the Star Team is adhering to the covid19 protocols and will work with the authorities to ensure that other people follow them too.

As the campaign winds down, Padarath declared, "We have no intention to engage in distractions."

Oropouche West MP Dave Tancoo, who is contesting the post of party chairman on the Star Team, agreed with Padarath, saying, "Mr Maharaj seems to have a serious problem dealing with the truth."