Secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Satnarayan Maharaj has endorsed Kamla Persad-Bissessar for political leader of the United National Congress (UNC). "I want to give my blessings to Kamla because I believe she is on the right track and I think there is time for change in the Opposition politics, time for change in the national politics," Maharaj said. He was interviewed on Thursday night at the Kamla for Leader public political meeting at the Maha Sabha's Tunapuna Hindu School. Maharaj likened the significance of his presence at the meeting to being Persad-Bissessar's host since the school belong to his Hindu organisation.
He indicated that he held membership for no political organisation, after questions about ending potential affiliations with the Congress of the People (COP) and returning to the UNC because of Persad-Bissessar. "I was never in any political party...I am still not in any political party," Maharaj said. Two years ago, Maharaj faced strong criticism from members of his own organisation, after allegations were made that the religious organisation's resources were used to campaign for the COP. Maha Sabha executive member Devant Maharaj was also a COP candidate against the UNC's Kelvin Ramnath in Couva South in the general election on November 5, 2007.
When questioned about rallying Maha Sabha members in support of Persad-Bissessar, Maharaj said the members would be able to make their own decisions from the campaigns of each of the three candidates fighting to be UNC political leader. "They are free to make their choice (and) to listen to the candidates and what they have to say and you judge them," he sad. "So we listened to what everybody had to say...people will make their own decisions. "The membership must decide that if he (Basdeo Panday) has passed his...if he is no longer capable in leadership.
Polling stations
The United National Congress has released the 28 polling stations in the various constituencies for tomorrow's internal elections. They are:
1. Arima, Arouca/Maloney, Lopinot/Bon Air West–Arima Hindu School.
2. Barataria, San Juan–Don Miguel Hindu School.
3. Caroni Central–Freeport Presbyterian School.
4. Caroni East–Cunupia Government Primary School.
5. Chaguanas East–Lendore Hindu School
6. Chaguanas West–Charlieville Presbyterian School.
7. Couva North–Chandernagore Presbyterian School.
8. Couva South–Balmain Presbyterian School.
9. Cumuto, Manzanilla–Grovesnor Presbyterian School.
10. D'Abadie/ O'Meara, La Horquetta- Talparo–D' Abadie Government Primary School.
11. Diego Martin Central, Diego Martin North/East, Diego Martin West–Diego Martin Government Secondary School.
12. Fyzabad–Siparia Road KPA School.
13. La Brea, Point Fortin–Rousillac Hindu School.
14. Laventille East-Morvant, Laventille West, Port-of-Spain North/St Ann's West, Port-of-Spain South, St Ann's East–St Paul's Multipurpose Facility.
15. Mayaro–Rio Claro Hindu School.
16. Naparima–Barrackpore Regional Complex.
17. Oropouche East–Parvatee Girls' Hindu School.
18. Oropouche West–Tulsa Trace Hindu School.
19. Pointe a Pierre–Union Claxton Bay Senior Comprehensive School.
20. Princess Town North–St Julien Presbyterian School.
21. Princess Town South/Tableland– Rochard Douglas Presbyterian School.
22. San Fernando East / San Fernando West–Grant Memorial Presbyterian School.
23. Siparia–Clarke Rochard Government School.
24. St Augustine–Tunapuna Hindu School
25. St Joseph–Aranguez Community Centre.
26. Tabaquite–Gasparillo Composite School.
27. Toco/Sangre Grande–Guaico Presbyterian School.
28. Tunapuna–El Dorado North Hindu School.