People's National Movement (PNM) candidate Faris Al-Rawi may have been campaigning in the marginal seat of San Fernando West for over a year but one of the UNC's three prospective candidates, Bishop Jankee Ragoonanan, says he is far ahead in the electoral race.
"Al-Rawi may have walked the entire constituency two and three times already but I have walked over 13 times. I am not a new kid on the block." Ragoonanan said as he came for screening at the UNC's office at Paraiso Building, Claxton Bay, last night.His two other nominees–Dr Marwan Abdulla and financial consultant Marcus Girdharie–also came with their contingent of supporters and tassa drummers.
Ragoonanan, who contested the seat in 2007 for the United National Congress Alliance (UNC-A) and who served as a field and research officer under outgoing San Fernando West MP Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, said even though he has not yet been selected as a candidate for the UNC he has been working the constituency.
Although screening started late, Ragoonanan said he was the only prospective candidate well known to San Fernandians.Asked whether he felt he was being put at a disadvantage because of late selection, Ragoonanan said no as he was familiar with the needs of the people.
"If I am selected here this evening, I will begin a more active campaign tonight," Ragoonanan said. He boasted no other candidate has worked in the region like he did.He said when Seepersad-Bachan was selected to contest the seat in 2010 under a Congress of the People ticket, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar asked him to work with Seepersad-Bachan.
"I also served as a councillor for Les Efforts and now I see a need to serve as an MP.
"I am convinced of my ability. Many are saying this is a difficult seat, seeing there are added polling divisions but I don't see it as a threat because I am a people's person and we have to get out there and converse with people and show them why they should vote for us," he added.He said the unprecedented levels of work done by the People's Partnership would sway voters.
"Coming close to the election date people are going to vote for us. It is a difficult fight for Faris. I have already done my ground work with the intention that I will be chosen," Ragoonanan said.Abdulla, who is an Egyptian by birth, said he served the people of San Fernando West for over 34 years and was well poised to win the seat if selected.
"The people of San Fernando has given me a lot and the time has come for me to serve in a different capacity," Abdulla said.He hoped to set up medical clinics and offer better health care for the people of the constituency.Girdharie, who is 43, said his youth gave him an edge over the other candidates.Girdharie said he lived in San Fernando and was intimate with the challenges of the people of the constituency.
UNC ramps up screening
With elections a mere four weeks away, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar ramped up the UNC's screening process yesterday scrutinising dozens of candidates for six constituencies.These included the marginals of San Fernando West and Mayaro as well as strongholds Caroni Central, Chaguanas East, Fyzabad and Princes Town.
In an interview UNC chairman Khadijah Ameen said screening started on July 24 in Caroni Central, Fyzabad, Princes Town and Chaguanas East but because of the number of nominees, the process had to be continued yesterday.
Among the nominees were chutney queen Ramrajie Prabhoo who was among six people screened for the seat of Caroni Central, formerly held by Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh. The others included Ameen, Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj and UNC research officer Arnold Ram.
Maharaj said despite his recent scandal where he was featured in an affectionate position with a woman in the Sunshine newspaper, he did not think that he would lost points because of ethical concerns.
"I have been above board in all of my duties," Maharaj said. His wife, Kristal Maharaj, was also screened for the Fyzabad seat, along with former councillor Doodnath Mayrhoo, chairman of the Siparia Regional Corporation Deo Doodnath, businessman Denish Sankersingh and former MP Chandresh Sharma.
The Princes Town seat, formerly held by Nela Khan also saw over a dozen nominees, including former MP Dr Reeza Mohammed, school teacher Natasha Sakool and businessmen Nicholas Boodram, Saleem Mohammed and Bachan Pariag.Several newcomers vied for Chaguanas East. These included public servant Richard Sukdeo and social worker Davica Thomas who said she decided to heed the PM's call to have more women serve in government.
In the Mayaro constituency, two businessmen–Videsh Maharaj and Rushton Paray–were screened along with former MP Winston "Gypsy" Peters. Paray said he has been working closely with Peters and knew the needs of his people. Screening will continue today.