Trinidad: 5 UNC MPs went uninvited in general election meeting

Trinidad and Tobago: Five Members of Parliament (MPs) of the United National Congress (UNC) were not invited to the general election meeting at the headquarters in Chaguanas. The gathering was focused on the preparations for the upcoming elections. The meeting was held on Sunday, 01 September.

The five MPs, who were ignored in the crucial meeting, confirmed that they were not summoned by the party heads. MPs raised questions over the party’s abilities to win the upcoming general elections in the nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

The five United National Congress (UNC) MPs who were left out of the meeting are Rushton Paray of Mayaro, Dinesh Rambally from Chaguanas West, Anita Haynes Alleyne of Tabaquite, Dr Rai Ragbir of Cumuto/Manzanilla, and Rodney Charles of Naparima.

The meeting was joined by all the members of the party, including Saddam Hosein, Ravi Ratiram, Khadijah Ameen, Dr Rishard Seecheran, Barry Padarath, Michelle Benjamin, Dr Roodal Moonilal, and Davendranath Tancoo.

Dr Tim Gopeesingh, a former MP, and Wade Mark and Damien Lyder, opposition senators, were also part of the general elections preparation meeting. The gathering was led by Persad Bissessar on the day. However, the topics on focus are not disclosed by the political party.

Rushton Paray said, “It only came to my attention through a Facebook post that the party held an election strategy meeting last night at party headquarters. Regrettably, I was not notified of this meeting.”

He continued, “I find it deeply concerning and troubling that I was excluded from such a critical discussion. If Mayaro is now deemed irrelevant to our strategic objectives, then perhaps it is time to reconsider all options.”

He stated that this behavior of the political party was not a mistake or some kind of punishment for him but was unchecked childish behavior. He mentioned that he would remain committed to the party he joined decades ago and that he would be valued sometime.

Dinesh Rambally said, “I was not invited. I don’t know anything about the gathering. I have been at odds with the leadership for some time now; that is not a secret. I think they prefer a situation where no one criticizes or questions; this is not a winning strategy.”

Dr Rai Ragbir also shared his words. He mentioned that he met the party members recently during the Independence Day celebrations at the Queens Park Savannah. In the gathering on 31 August also, no one told him anything about this meeting at the headquarters.

As no information or details are available at the general election meeting at the headquarters in Chaguanas, the officials of UNC stated, “This was a targeted internal meeting not for public consumption.”