Bittersweet appointment for Marlene

“Bittersweet.” That’s how San Fernando Marlene Coudray responded to her appointment as Gender Affairs Minister in the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led Cabinet. The appointment was announced on the eve of a final burial for her elder daughter Michelle Coudray-Greaves, who was murdered in Jamaica, three weeks ago.

Coudray, one of the deputy political leaders of the United National Congress (UNC) spoke to members of the media shortly after the announcement on Friday night, during a wake for Coudray-Greaves. “It definitely is a bittersweet moment, but it is God’s work,” Coudray said, indicating she was consulted by the PM before the announcement was made.

She also expressed confidence in the appointment of Dr Surujrattan Rambachan as Local Government Minister, saying as a former Mayor of Chaguanas, he was well poised for the position. COP leader Prakash Ramadhar, who was critical of Coudray when she switched allegiance, yesterday put all politics aside when he attended her daughter’s funeral.

“This is a most horrific thing. No parent should ever have to undergo such tragedy,” Ramadhar said. He said even though he did not know Coudray-Greaves, as a parent his heart was filled with pain. Ramadhar also pledged support for Coudray as a Cabinet colleague. “It is important never to hold on to negatives. They carry too much baggage,” he said of their past political squabble.