No decision yet on PP candidate for Chaguanas West by election

The United National Congress is keeping quiet on the selection of its candidate for the upcoming by-election in the Chaguanas West Constituency. 

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar summoned a meeting of the national executive of the UNC last evening, to discuss the vacancy in the constituency of Chaguanas West.

This follows Jack Warner’s resignation as a Member of Parliament last Friday.

Now the Prime Minister is expected to make an important announcement when the seat is officially declared vacant by the speaker.

Will ex-government Minister Jack Warner contest the Chaguanas West seat for the United National Congress?

A question now in the minds of the public and also gaining the attention of the party.

The answer will not be known before Friday May 10 at the next sitting of the Lower House.

That’s the word from a source deep inside the UNC.

The party member who asked to remain anonymous told Cnews that Political Leader, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will make an announcement only after the seat is officially declared vacant.

Mr. Warner kicks off his re-election campaign this Sunday with a motorcade from the Caroni Bird Sanctuary to Jubilee Recreation Ground, Cacandee Road, Felicity.

It seems from an advertisement in the daily newspaper that Mr. Warner is not putting the cart before the horse.

While the advertisement bears the symbolic yellow and orange UNC colors there is no party symbol.

Last week Mr. Warner pledged his allegiance to the United National Congress and indicated his desire to contest the election on an UNC ticket.

The party held a National Executive meeting at the Rienzi Complex on Thursday and from all reports Mr. Warner’s candidacy was discussed.

Deputy Political Leader and Oropouche East MP, Dr. Roodal Moonilal is quoted in media reports as describing Mr. Warner as a strong and loyal member, who would not do anything to undermine the party. He said however, he did not hold out much hope for independent candidates as the society is settled on party politics.

Tabaquite MP Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan, also a UNC Deputy Political Leader holds a different opinion as he is quoted as saying that an independent candidate is good for democracy.

In the 2010 general election, Mr. Warner won the Chaguanas West seat with an estimated 19,000 votes, the most of any successful candidate.

C-News