UNC Launches Local Government By-Election Campaign

UNC Political Leader Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar with candidate for Lengua/Indian Walk, Nicole Gopaul candidate for Quinam/Morne Diablo, Sara Sookdeo

It’s official.

Ms. Nicole Gopaul will return as the UNC’s candidate for the Lengua/Indian Walk district.

Meanwhile, Ms. Sara Sookdeo has been selected as the UNC’s Quinam/Morne Diablo candidate for the upcoming Local Government by-elections, carded for Monday 17 June 2024.

This was announced at the official launch of the UNC’s Local Government by-election campaign at a massive political meeting at the Penal Secondary School last night, Monday 20 May 2024.

The venue, located in the heart of the Siparia constituency of UNC Political Leader and Opposition Leader, the Honourable Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, was filled to over capacity.

Hundreds of enthusiastic supporters packed into the school hall and spilled over on the outside, all waving UNC flags and donned in what Mrs. Persad-Bissessar described as “a sea of yellow”.

MPs Dr Roodal Moonilal, Davendranath Tancoo, and Dr Lackram Bodoe from bordering UNC heartland constituencies, Oropouche East, Oropouche West and Fyzabad, respectively, also addressed the crowd.

They spoke of rampant, ongoing PNM neglect and underdevelopment of the areas, including Lengua/Indian Walk and Quinam/Morne Diablo and the unprecedented, ever-escalating and truly horrendous crime wave overpowering the nation.

The MPs also spoke about the current imbroglio involving the PNM Government’s attack on the Auditor-General, the deadly bacchanal in the SSA, and the Rowley Government’s oppressive economic measures which have led to massive poverty and unemployment, as well as an unprecedented increase in the cost of living for all citizens.

Delivering the very compelling feature address, a fiery Mrs. Persad-Bissessar rallied her massive army of UNC faithful for victory in the Local Government elections in Lengua/Indian Walk and Quinam/Morne Diablo on 17 June 2024.

She slammed the Rowley Government for its destructive policies, reading out newspaper headline after headline detailing the deadly impact of the ‘sadistic’ national crime wave in Siparia, Fyzabad and Oropouche East and West.

Cheered on by the energetic, massive crowd, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar also issued a very strong warning about the Rowley Government’s move to fire the Auditor General. She said:

“I want to warn you tonight – I have been reliably informed that the Government is going to use a window of opportunity created by their illegal investigation to fire the Auditor General. I have been reliably informed that that is their plan.

I am asking the Government tonight, is that true? Is this your Government’s nefarious plan? I am asking for a friend. I am asking the people of this country

They have been hounding the poor woman out of office after she stood up and maintained her independence against you. I warn you tonight it is their plan to fire the Auditor General”

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar told the crowd that Trinidad and Tobago’s future was at stake in these upcoming polls, and called on them to ‘riot’ against the destructive Government in the voting booth, noting:

“This is not just about politics; it’s about our collective future as people living together in this twin-island republic. It’s about ensuring that every citizen, from the young child in the classroom to the hardworking parent to the young person striving to better themselves, has the chance to not just survive but also to thrive!

United we can build a nation where everyone prospers, and no one is left behind. We can create a society where opportunities are abundant, where the economy flourishes, and where our children inherit a country filled with hope and promise.

This is the vision of the UNC, and we are committed to realizing it. We believe in the power of the people, and we know that united, we can achieve greatness.”