Former dissident UNC MP Dinesh Rambally says he has no intention of rejoining the UNC, even as he congratulated incoming Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the party on their return to government.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Rambally said, “I want to say congratulations to the UNC, led by Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar. I have no issue in placing that on the public record.”
He explained that his resignation stemmed from a misalignment with the party.
“I could not align with the party. That is why I resigned. Having resigned, I wanted to support the country. But I have no intention of rejoining the UNC.”
Asked whether he would now join the PNM, which he supported during the campaign, Rambally said, “I’m not a part of it yet. I only supported the PNM in the election. It is early days yet. I just simply removed myself from the UNC.”
He said he would now focus on his legal practice and national service wherever possible.
“I just want to see that for the betterment of the country, we have democracy and people work towards bettering society—whether it’s the UNC or the PNM.”
Meanwhile, former UNC MP for Tabaquite Anita Haynes-Alleyne, who aligned with the PNM a day before the election, said the country had demonstrated maturity in executing another free and fair election.
“Trinidad and Tobago has successfully completed another free and fair election, and as a nation, we must be proud of that fact,” she said. “I congratulate Mrs Persad-Bissessar and her team on the victory. The UNC has been given a mandate to govern and holds the great expectations of our people.”
She added, “Today is a new day for Trinidad and Tobago. Let us continue to work for a better country.”
Former Mayaro MP Rushton Paray, who had unsuccessfully challenged Persad-Bissessar in the UNC’s internal election, also extended congratulations to her and to Nicholas Morris, who replaced him as MP.
“Her return to government reflects the will of the people and signals a renewed mandate for better governance, national stability, and a focus on delivering results.”
He described Morris’s new role as a serious one. “The constituency faces serious, long-standing issues—from deteriorating roads, coastal erosion, inadequate water services, to limited access to state agencies, joblessness, and rising crime.”
Paray said he remained committed to national service. “As I step away from active parliamentary representation, I remain committed to national service in whatever capacity I can contribute.”
President of the South Oropouche Riverine Flood Action Group, Edward Moodie—who had aligned with Paray’s slate—told Guardian Media that the new government must urgently address long-standing flooding problems in the Oropouche Basin.
“We have agreed on some principles. I got confirmation this morning that reinforcement of one of the embankments will be prioritised.”
Moodie said engineering failures and poor management were to blame for repeated flooding in the region.
“Those who were involved in rehabilitating some of the riverbanks never had relationships with the people. They didn’t understand the issues.”
He said discussions were held with UNC MPs, including Dr Roodal Moonilal, and called for unity among former UNC members.
“I have made it clear to the different MPs, maybe instead of all the anger that continued on Facebook, maybe we should have reached out to them. Now that the election is over, let us stop the pettiness and get back together,” he said.