Dareece Polo
Senior Reporter
dareece.polo@guardian.co.tt
Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly Farley Augustine is challenging Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to call a general election.
Augustine made the call as he officially launched his Tobago People’s Party (TPP) on Sunday night at the Milford Road Layby (Stage In The Sea), Milford Road, Scarborough, Tobago.
“I understand that your Prime Minister is on the island tonight and I understand that although he has an election in Trinidad tomorrow (Monday) he’s in Tobago tonight (Sunday). But now might be a good time to tell the Prime Minister just prorogue Parliament and call a general election because we ready, we ready,” Augustine said.
The TPP’s logo is an anchor that serves as a mirror with two P’s on either side.
The party’s colour is a light blue that Augustine said was inspired by a jersey owned by his now deceased grandfather.
The Chief Secretary took the stage just after 8 pm, promising supporters of improvement in their standard of living as he pledged to make advancements in education, innovation, tourism, and other sectors.
Augustine and 15 other Assemblymen resigned from the Watson Duke-led Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) in December last year, forming the TPP four months later.
Following the fallout, there have been calls for fresh elections.
Addressing his disagreement with Duke, Augustine said his former political leader’s “head eh good.”
He added that he had no choice but to depart the party but noted that some people remain on the ship steered by Duke.
Drawing an analogy referencing Jesus Christ walking on water, he said the TPP was created for members to do just that.
He was flanked by all current members of the TPP.