Show of UNC strength for Ameen
Twenty four hours after being presented to a crowd in Endeavour, Chaguanas as the party’s candidate to contest the Chaguanas West bye election, Khadijah Ameen, accompanied by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar engaged in a four-mile walkabout in the constituency.
Joining Ameen, Chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, in the three-hour meet and greet the people exercise, were former Congress of the People (COP) member Manohar Ramsaran who wore a United National Congress (UNC) shirt and Sat Mahabir, both of whom were also screened for the seat.
The seat was left vacant as a result of the resignation of former Security Minister Jack Warner. Yesterday’s walkabout was a show of UNC strength as several leading members of the Cabinet including AG Anand Ramlogan, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and Local Government Minister Surj Rambachan also spent the afternoon on the hustings. “Vote to keep Chaguanas West in the government” was the mantra on the road as Persad-Bissessar and Ameen hugged and kissed babies and the elderly as they lined the road patiently awaiting the women’s arrival. Ameen distributed gifts.
Speaking to journalists before the start of the walkabout, Ameen said she saw “energy and enthusiasm among the constituents.
“I know that there would have been claims that I should not expect much,” she said, but I am here and I am seeing people coming out in full support.
I believe the people who have strongly supported the UNC in Chaguanas were waiting for the political leader to name a candidate.”
Adding that she heard there were areas where there has been thuggery, she made an appeal for a peaceful campaign.
“I am appealing to all especially those within the UNC family – let us join hands, there is a candidate now, we are one family and we have to walk together.”
“Many of the people in Chaguanas West have indicated that loyalty to party comes a little above loyalty to persons and they will be joining us,” she also said.
Ameen also expressed a wish that Jack Warner would lend her his support.
Warner is yet to indicate his intentions regarding the bye-election following his rejection as a candidate by the UNC.