A musical and yet comical clash between political parties and independent candidates as Local Government Elections heat up to the race on December 2.
Eight candidates from the United National Congress and People’s National Movement filed nomination papers at the nominations office of the Elections and Boundaries Commission in Chaguanas.
Filing nominations first was the United National Congress (UNC) candidates. They were serenaded by tassa drumming as they walked from the Chaguanas Market to the nomination office.
UNC Chaguanas coordinator Saddam Hosein told Guardian Media that the UNC has the winning slate. He said nominations went well and the list of aldermen will also be released.
He added the party will not be fazed by anyone who want to come up against the party since the party is strong and will retain the Chaguanas Borough Corporation.
The first of clash of parties came when former United National Congress activist Dhanraj Balkaran, now the independent candidate for Felcity/ Endeavor, arrived.
Balkaran arrived with his tassa drummers and it became a dance off between the two factions.
After filing nominations, Balkaran said he was disenfranchised with the leadership of the United National Congress. He said he offered himself for the seat and was bypassed by a candidate the community is not familiar with.
Balkran added that he has served his area and the party. He believes the UNC is on a wrong path and that he was urged by the community to run as an independent.
With music trucks blaring the People’s National Movement arrived with its eight candidates leading their walk to the nominations office.
It was a show between the yellow and red as they blared music at each other.
Candidate for Chaguanas East and Chaguanas Coordinator Clarence Rambarath boast that the PNM has the winning slate.He said all candidates are ready to run and take the Chaguanas Borough Corporation.
He told the Guardian he is not bothered by who chose to run independently since the PNM focuses on winning.
The coordinator said his candidates are on the ground working hard and this will show at the polls on December 2.
“Elections come, elections go, the balisier will always be on a ballet and we don’t look at who is aligned or who is with, the PNM does the business of this country and the party has put out 139 candidates and we intend to win all the seats”, he said.
The last candidate to file nominations was Montrose councillor Andell Paramsook who has announced that he will run independently for the Montrose seat.
Paramsook was a former UNC councillor but yesterday evening he withdrew his nominations.