UNC councillor Samuel Sankar is resigning from the party and will serve out the rest of the Local Government term as an independent councillor in Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, while a number of smaller parties which are contesting LG polls are finalising plans this weekend.
Sankar (Warrenville/Kelly Village) confirmed his situation to the T&T Guardian yesterday.
Sankar, a UNC supporter since 1988, has been a member for the past seven years, during which time he served as a councillor.
He has been disconnected from the party since last August, when he was the sole UNC councillor attending a Local Government consultation. At a UNC forum the day before, UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar had mandated her councillors to boycott the meeting. But Sankar, who left before the announcement, said he was unaware of this and attended the consultation.
He subsequently received death threats and was deleted from UNC chat groups, including in the TPRC’s area.
“I wasn’t contacted by the leadership and I haven’t been invited to meetings. But five MPs said they supported my position. I’ve continued serving—and well,” Sankar said yesterday.
“There’s more to be done. Local Government reform is a positive platform for quality service.”
On resigning, Sankar added, “I don’t feel UNC’s leadership will pull T&T together or get national buy-in. The party’s lost its original moorings and direction. UNC needs strong leadership, LG and constituency representatives. The level of its Parliamentary debate isn’t solid and is more ‘grand charge’ and bravado than real issues.
“Some who’ve served in the rank and file also share these views with me. I don’t think UNC can win TPRC where PNM has 13 seats and UNC seven. There’s been poor candidate selection. The Maracas Santa Margarita seat is winnable for UNC if they have the right candidate, but...”
When UNC sought LG nominees last year, Sankar did not apply. Along with his resignation letter, which will be hand-delivered to the UNC’s head office imminently, he also has a letter stating he will not be contesting LG polls under the UNC.
Sankar, who stressed he would not “cross the floor” while in office, however, said he would be involved in LG campaigning—but not with the UNC.
Pressed on if he would assist the PNM, he declined comment beyond, “I’ll keep all my options open.”
He added, “I wish the leader (Persad-Bissessar) well. I have no ill feelings to anyone. I prayed about my decision and I’m comfortable. I look forward to transformation of the leadership in internals ahead. Election outcomes will also determine it.”
MSJ, NTA, PEP, PDP in LG polls ...
Soon after the Privy Council judgment was announced on Thursday, several parties which aren’t represented in the Parliament confirmed their intention to participate in LG polls whenever held.
Movement for Social Justice leader David Abdulah confirmed the party will contest on its own, mainly southern areas “in a strategic way.” Details will be given ahead.
Progressive Empowerment Party leader Phillip Alexander—asked about contesting solo or not, said, “It would take some mature negotiations and serious realignment of values to get us to partner with any of the existing players. PEP has an extraordinary leadership meeting today to finalise. Our screening has been ongoing and is driven from within.”
National Transformation for Alliance leader Gary Griffith, who began campaigning in St Joseph and Point Fortin earlier this year, confirmed his party is definitely contesting, but is so far mum on any upcoming election arrangement with others.
Griffith added, “When you form yourself as a political party, it’s to contest elections. If you don’t do that, then you’re an activist group—NTA’s definitely not an activist group.”
Congress of the People Leader Kirt Sinette said the party would “most likely” contest and it hasd to be worked out if it would do so with others. He said COP had been speaking to groups but not UNC at this point.
Progressive Democratic Party leader Watson Duke, who’s demanded Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley set an LG election date immediately, said those in Port-of-Spain and the East-West Corridor should expect PDP in their areas. He’s asked interested people to contact him.