Government Minister Suruj Rambachan believes former St Joseph MP Herbert Volney was set up by Independent Liberal Party leader Jack Warner.His comment came moments after Volney announced on Wednesday he would not seek legal action to try and keep the St Joseph seat after the House Speaker declared it vacant on September 9.Rambachan told reporters in Parliament that the People's Partnership would have to start looking for a St Joseph candidate and the Prime Minister would have to announce a by-election date.He said the People's Partnership would have to discuss with other coalition partners the issue of a St Joseph candidate for the UNC's St Joseph seat.
"I'm surprised Volney gave up...I thought he was a fighter and he would have fought his cause as he had indicated he was going to do that," Rambachan said."I wonder what caused his change of heart. I think, however, Volney was set up by Jack Warner who was looking for an opportunity to get another by-election and he set Volney up for the fall. Volney bought into the bait and he has found himself out in the cold."On if the ILP was a factor in the St Joseph issue, Rambachan said the PP would have to wait and "see what the people say."He added: "I think the people are beginning to see the deception in Warner. He rode the backs of people in Chaguanas West and turned his back on them just as he has turned his back on Mr Volney."Meanwhile, Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal said talks between the UNC and COP on Local Government allocation of candidates should be completed by the end of this week.