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  • 10 months ago
There is discourse in the public domain suggesting that Leader of the United National Congress Kamla Persad-Bissessar should step aside and allow "new blood" to take the party into the next General Election.


But it's an idea that was shut-down by two UNC MPs who hope to defend their constituencies in the 2025 General Election.


They shared their views as the UNC continued its screening process on Wednesday evening for four electoral seats.


Alicia Boucher has the details.
Transcript
00:00The United National Congress has received nominations for prospective candidates for
00:05the constituencies of Moruga Tableland, presently held by Michelle Benjamin, Faisabad under
00:10Dr. Lakram Bodo, Karani East under Dr. Rashad Situran, and Uruputu West held by Devindranath
00:17Thanku.
00:18However, with the shake-up in the People's National Movement, where Energy Minister Stuart
00:22Young has been selected as successor to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who plans to resign,
00:28there are calls for UNC leader Kamala Prasad Bisasa to follow suit, while MP Thanku, who
00:34is also Chairman of the UNC, is standing behind Prasad Bisasa.
00:39I am fully supportive of her.
00:41I believe she is the best person available to lead the UNC into government and to become
00:46the next Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, especially given the kind of individual that
00:52the PNM has selected.
00:53It's a chalk and cheese.
00:55We can rescue Trinidad and Tobago, and we have the capability to do it.
00:59We also have the leader to do it.
01:00There is no query in Trinidad and Tobago now as to whether Kamala Prasad Bisasa is the
01:04leader of the UNC or not.
01:06Benjamin says, from her knowledge, she is the only prospective UNC candidate for Moruga
01:10Tableland.
01:12As for the idea that someone else should steer the UNC forward?
01:17When it comes to the United National Congress, we are strong.
01:20As you would have heard my supporter and Stuart in the party, Mr. Bellman, said one leader.
01:24And we acknowledge Kamala Prasad Bisasa, and right now with the current state of affairs
01:28in Trinidad and Tobago, we need someone with experience and someone that had us on a steady
01:33path for progress, which is Kamala Prasad Bisasa.
01:37Benjamin says a priority for her constituency, and by extension the UNC, should it attain
01:43power, is the creation of jobs, especially for the youth.
01:46She believes it is one of the solutions to mitigating crime in the country.
01:50Dr. Bodo has served as MP for Faisalabad for a decade.
01:54He says there is a lot to be done, in particular as it pertains to large infrastructural projects,
02:00in order to raise the tourism profile of that constituency.
02:04It's been very challenging.
02:05It's been difficult for my constituents, as you know, when you're not in government, you
02:10don't have access to resources.
02:11But nevertheless, I have to pay tribute to the constituents who have remained loyal to
02:16the party and to all my constituents.
02:19There are many issues that need to be dealt with.
02:21I've been able to deal with a few through the assistance of the business community and
02:25other stakeholders.
02:26Dr. Bodo indicates that there are one or two competitors for this seat, but it's something
02:32that he believes should be encouraged.
02:35Tanku is expressing confidence in the work he has put in, and as a former member of the
02:39screening committee, he believes the process will be fair.
02:42He arrived hand-in-hand with fellow contender Krishna Prasad Singh, councillor for La Fortune
02:47Deby North.
02:48Whoever the political leader decides and the screening committee decides is the candidate.
02:52That is the candidate that we will all support, and we will stand strongly behind.
02:56I have the added benefit tonight of having been able to see MP Tanku in action over the
03:01last five years.
03:02So I want to say that he has treated me well.
03:04So that's why I'm here with him tonight, and we will sit and the party will decide which
03:09candidate goes forward.
03:10When the four candidates are selected for the area screened on Wednesday, it will bring
03:15the UNC's total to 12 out of 39 seats in Trinidad.
03:19The party has not indicated any intention to run in Tobago.
03:23With the new developments on the political landscape and an election date pending, Tanku
03:28expects the UNC's screening process to pick up in the coming weeks.
03:33Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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