Both Mayaro MP Rushton Paray and Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne intend to contest a post in the UNC’s National Executive elections on June 15.
In fact, Paray revealed he intends to field a slate to contest posts in the internal party polls.
Yesterday, Paray said after months of wrangling he was relieved that the political leader of the United National Congress Kamla Persad-Bissessar decided on the internal election date. On Friday the party announced that June 15 would be polling day.
Speaking on CNC3’s The Morning Brew programme yesterday, Paray—who was one of the first in the UNC to make several public calls for the party to hold executive elections—said that while he hoped that it could have been called earlier he is happy that the date has finally been announced. But he said he was not taking any credit for what he said appeared to be an impromptu decision.
The Mayaro MP said he will be presenting a slate for the executive elections.
“Absolutely as a matter of fact, I plan in terms of leading a team that will go into the contest at the end of the month, within the thirty days. So I have every intention to do that,” he said.
He added that the election was not called because of him, but because of the wider membership. He believes the “sudden” announcement of the date very close to when it is constitutionally due would not harm any challengers but can backfire on the political leader.
“Historically when a political leader pulls a date out of their back pocket they have not been very successful. At the end of the day I want to be able to say that the party has thought it out,” Paray said.
While he did not say if the internal elections taking place just days before the by-elections for electoral districts of Lengua/Indian Walk and Quinam/Morne Diablo will have any effect on the polls, Paray said they will serve as a catalyst for the party’s supporters to get in election mode, in particular the 2025 general elections.
Another one of the so-called “dissidents” in the UNC, Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne, also indicated her intentions of contesting a post in the party’s internal elections yesterday. However, Haynes-Alleyne stopped short of saying what post it would be and giving any further details on the move.
“I would be prepared to say once the paperwork has been completed and dropped off, which I am hoping can be done in short order,” she said.
Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally, who also publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership, said he has not yet decided if he would be throwing his hat in the ring.
“I am giving active consideration to it as I am holding discussions within my constituency,” Rambally explained.
Meanwhile, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal who is one of the deputy political leaders of the UNC was also undecided as he indicated that he still has to consult with his family, constituents and swami.
When contacted Oropouche West MP Dave Tancoo, the party’s chairman, St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen, the party’s vice chairman and Couva North MP Ravi Ratiram, who holds the position of party organiser, indicated that they would reveal their decision in due course.