00:00Well, a very good evening to you, Disha, and to our viewers on TV6.
00:04I'm coming to you from the UNC headquarters on Mulchan-Soochan Road.
00:08Now, this is where the party is screening candidates for a total of five seats.
00:13That's Hoover North, Hoover South, Karene Central, Tunapuna, and, of course, Mayaro.
00:19Now, you would obviously see a lot of activity behind me.
00:23The political leader, well, she arrived a short while ago to a sea of yellow
00:27and really a carnival-like atmosphere.
00:29She spent a few minutes to chat with us, and here's some of what she had to say.
00:33Last Friday, you said that by this week, you expect to be completed.
00:37How are you on track for that one, and how are you going about with this coalition?
00:41Are you going to screen your 39 and match it up with what the other parties have to offer?
00:46Well, we've met with three groupings so far who are willing to work with us.
00:52The COI, the Coalition of Interest, the OWTU has agreed to field a candidate with us.
01:00They have agreed to use the UNC logo.
01:02So, yes, we will be going together, but it will be an OWTU choice.
01:07They will bring their person. We will meet them.
01:10We are not screening them in the same way that we would screen the UNC persons,
01:14but we will have sight of them, and any concerns could be raised.
01:17So that's going to happen on Wednesday.
01:20Do you want to say which seat?
01:22Point 14.
01:24And there is another grouping that is interested in Labre.
01:27So we are going to do those two on Wednesday.
01:30And then there are others now in the West with the PP.
01:34We are working out with them which seats up there that they are willing in the West.
01:39So they have a niche market, you would say.
01:41OWTU, Dongan Point, and so on with the oil industry.
01:44PEP has their people and their support in the West.
01:48And that's how we work and where they have a competitive advantage.
01:51And yes, the third grouping, and please remind me, is with the Laventille organization.
01:56We have also met with them, and in Laventille, of course,
01:59we are working towards them to fielding a candidate for one of those seats.
02:03What about Tobago? Any thoughts?
02:05I have always said from day one, ever since I became leader of UNC,
02:09I still hold a respectful view that the people of Tobago should choose the persons
02:15they want to govern them and represent them in Tobago.
02:18The UNC will not file any candidates in Tobago, or nominees in Tobago.
02:23Are you open to meeting and having Farley Augustine join your team?
02:28We are always open to all those who are willing to work for the betterment
02:32and development of Trinidad and Tobago.
02:34So could that in that case spell a coalition after the election?
02:38I'm sorry?
02:39Could that spell a coalition or a partnership after the election?
02:43In life, all things are always possible.
02:45Well, the screening has begun, but hordes of supporters are still here
02:50throwing, of course, their support behind their favorite candidates.
02:54We, of course, spoke with Rudy N. Darrison, who is the incumbent for Kearney Central,
02:58and Attorney-at-Law Kyle Tak-Lal, saying who is vying for the Cooper North seat?
03:03Of course, that seat is being held by Ravi Rajaram.
03:06Here's some of what they had to say.
03:08I am fully backed unanimously by the Cooper South constituency executive,
03:13all the councillors who fall within the geography of the Cooper-Tabukit-Shalpara Regional Cooperation.
03:21We have councillor Rana Sal-Bamara, councillor Bamaram Gopal,
03:26and councillor Saran Badal Ayu.
03:30We have Ollaman Anil Kamal, and of course,
03:34Aileen Solomon-Ramesa, Arlan Taksisi-Fazal, Vanessa Kuti.
03:39And interestingly, this evening, I am being supported by the Point of Ear branch
03:45of the Oilfield Workers' Trade Union, led by Mr. Christopher Jackman.
03:50Cooper North is my constituency. I grew up there.
03:53I know the people there. I've done most of my things in my life there.
03:57My office is there, and I feel that I can serve the people in Cooper North in Parliament.
04:02We will make good and solid legislation to benefit everybody in this country.
04:12The incumbent and every other candidate I have a lot of respect for,
04:16and I think the party will consider each of us fairly and accurately
04:20and let the national executive make the best choice.
04:23Well, it still is a very festive setting here at Mulchan-Sutran Road, Disha.
04:29All supporters, you'd notice them in their yellow and some in their orange.
04:33Albeit, they tell us they're all in it for the long haul.
04:37And while you're here, why not check out your favorite Transformers, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee.
04:43Urvashi Tewari, Rupanarayan, TV6 News.
Comments