PNM candidate for San Fernando East Randall Mitchell warned on Wednesday night that the constituency could be transformed from the jewel in the PNM crown to a marginal constituency.Mitchell said there was a real possibility the shift in the EBC boundaries could see the seat, which has been in the hands of the PNM since the 1956 election, becoming marginal, or worse yet, becoming a UNC seat in the 2015 general election.
In his maiden address to constituents at Pleasantville Community Centre on Wednesday night, Mitchell made a passionate plea for them to put aside reservations of his selection over current MP Patrick Manning and unite to ensure the PP Government did not steal the seat. He said he would do his utmost to retain the seat but needed help to do so. He told constituents he understood that many of them would have preferred to have Manning standing before them asking for their support.
"If Mr Manning had not been ill, I too would have been behind his candidacy."I believe despite his illness Mr Manning still has a considerable lot to offer to this country and I know he will continue to contribute, sharing his wealth of knowledge and political acumen with us."But we must now come together, bonded by our love for party, bonded by our love for San Fernando East," he added.
The Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) review the boundaries of ten of the 41 constituencies has seen the shifting of three polling divisions from the United National Congress (UNC) stronghold of Oropouche East to San Fernando East and two polling divisions from San Fernando East to San Fernando West.Addressing a small audience, which included campaign manager San Fernando mayor Kazim Hosein and candidate for Siparia Vidya Deokiesingh, Mitchell said that shift equalled a reduction of at least 1,000 PNM votes.
"The gain of these three polling divisions from Oropouche East that has voted heavily in favour of the UNC, from Ste Madeleine, Petite Morne and in the St Charles area and the loss of two polls that have voted in favour of the PNM to San Fernando West, results in net loss of 1,000 PNM votes."Now if you take the 2010 results, the PNM won by 3,600 votes, and subtract the 1,000 votes, we are left with 2,600 which will make San Fernando East a marginal constituency."
He said the Government's plan to distribute 100 HDC houses a week, including unallocated homes in the Corinth Hill area in his constituency, would further erode that margin.Added to that, he said, developments taking place in the San Fernando East boundaries, from Petite Morne, Ste Madeleine and St Charles, to house people from Fyzabad, Oropouche and Mondesir, displaced by the highway to Point Fortin could see the transformation from PNM stronghold to UNC stronghold.
"About 700 lots are being developed along Petite Morne, some of the lots have already been given out."If the UNC returns to office all of these lots will be given to their supporters. And if you multiply 700 homes by four voters a household, its about 2,800 votes," he added.An attorney and a businessman, Mitchell said the UNC had been making inroads into San Fernando East, "looking for one Judas amongst us.
"In 1986, the PNM narrowly won over the NAR by a mere 62 votes. In 2010, the PNM won by about 3,600 votes and if you consider what is still to be handed out in the Corinth Hill area, what ever machiavellian plans may be afoot to pad voters in Corinth Hill, we may be in for some big trouble in this general election."But that is not all, if we do not win this election, if the PNM is not voted in, in the elections of 2015, San Fernando East may well become a UNC constituency."
No dazzling smile ormamaguy from Randall
Randall Mitchell bared his soul before a PNM audience in Pleasantville on Wednesday night, telling them he was applying for the job to serve them for the next five years.He told constituents he was not another pretty face who was relying on the strength of the legacy left by his predecessors."I am not here to dazzle you with any bright smile or mamaguy talk. I am depending on the strength of my character and performance which you will judge."I am depending on my drive and determination and dedication to the people, the party and the country, he said.
He told the constituents, who had been divided over his selection to contest the San Fernando East seat over the incumbent, former Prime Minister Patrick Manning, that he did not want to fill his shoes but rather continue in his legacy of excellence to represent them."This candidacy means I have the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of our country's longest serving MP and the best PM this country has seen in recent memory," he added.He said being successor to Manning was a double-edged sword.
"On one hand, I am honoured, humbled and very proud to be carrying the PNM torch of the PNM legacy here in San Fernando East."On the other hand, it is a daunting challenge trying to follow in the footsteps of Mr Manning when he retires."I am not seeking to follow in his shoes, I simply cannot fill them. "He said when he first offered himself for nomination, the first person he went to see was Manning.
"I told him 'Boss, I just submitted my consent to be nominated and I feel as though, if the screening committee opts not to choose you on account of your illness, I feel they should be given a credible alternative.' I think he appreciated my honesty in that regard."