Attorney Om Lalla is tipped to contest the St Joseph by-election, when called, on an Independent Liberal Party (ILP's) ticket.According to well-placed sources Lalla, who is closely aligned with ILP leader Jack Warner, is being sought to represent the party in the election, when the date is announced.However, Lalla, when contacted by the T&T Guardian, said he was not selected to contest the election nor was he a member of the Jack Warner-led ILP."As far as I am aware I have not been screened, I have not have been approached... Well not yet," Lalla said.
He said he has not given much thought to the situation involving former St Joseph MP Herbert Volney, whose seat was declared vacant last week by House Speaker Wade Mark after Volney tendered his resignation from the United National Congress."The whole by-election thing has been sprung on me. I was out of the country last week so I have not really given it much thought," Lalla said.The attorney admitted that he always had an interest in politics and would consider contesting elections, but he said he has not thought about joining the ILP.
"I have not given it any thought as yet (joining the ILP.) I have not joined yet. I have not even thought about it. I have a very good relationship with Mr Warner, but we have not really talked (about it,)" he said.Lalla admitted that he was not surprised that his name was being called as a prospective candidate for the seat. He said he had been through the preliminary process 13 years ago for the St Joseph seat and "my name always comes up every election as a potential candidate."