Trinidad and Tobago: 5 UNC MPs Left Out of General Election Meeting

Five United National Congress (UNC) MPs were not invited to the general election meeting at the headquarters in Chaguanas.

The meeting was focused on the preparations for the upcoming elections and was held on Sunday, 01 September. The five MPs, who were ignored in the crucial meeting, confirmed that they were not summoned by the party heads. MPs raised questions over the party’s abilities to win the upcoming general elections in the nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

The five United National Congress (UNC) MPs who were left out of the meeting are:

Rushton Paray of Mayaro
Dinesh Rambally from Chaguanas West
Anita Haynes Alleyne of Tabaquite
Dr Rai Ragbir of Cumuto/Manzanilla
Rodney Charles of Naparima

The meeting was joined by all the members of the party, including:

Saddam Hosein
Ravi Ratiram
Khadijah Ameen
Dr Rishard Seecheran
Barry Padarath
Michelle Benjamin
Dr Roodal Moonilal
Davendranath Tancoo
Dr Tim Gopeesingh, a former MP, and Wade Mark and Damien Lyder, opposition senators

Comments from the excluded MPs:

Rushton Paray said, “It only came to my attention through a Facebook post that the party held an election strategy meeting last night at party headquarters. Regrettably, I was not notified of this meeting.”

He continued, “I find it deeply concerning and troubling that I was excluded from such a critical discussion. If Mayaro is now deemed irrelevant to our strategic objectives, then perhaps it is time to reconsider all options.”

He stated that this behavior of the political party was not a mistake or some kind of punishment for him but was unchecked childish behavior. He mentioned that he would remain committed to the party he joined decades ago and that he would be valued sometime.

Dinesh Rambally said, “I was not invited. I don’t know anything about the gathering. I have been at odds with the leadership for some time now; that is not a secret. I think they prefer a situation where no one criticizes or questions; this is not a winning strategy.”

Dr Rai Ragbir also shared his words. He mentioned that he met the party members recently during the Independence Day celebrations at the Queens Park Savannah. In the gathering on 31 August also, no one told him anything about this meeting at the headquarters.

Response from the United National Congress (UNC) officials:

As no information or details are available at the general election meeting at the headquarters in Chaguanas, the officials of UNC stated, “This was a targeted internal meeting not for public consumption.”

Conclusion

The exclusion of five United National Congress (UNC) MPs from the general election meeting has raised questions about the party’s ability to win the upcoming general elections in Trinidad and Tobago. The MPs who were left out of the meeting have expressed their concerns and frustrations, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the party’s chances in the elections.

FAQs

Q: Who were the five United National Congress (UNC) MPs who were left out of the general election meeting?
A: The five MPs were Rushton Paray of Mayaro, Dinesh Rambally from Chaguanas West, Anita Haynes Alleyne of Tabaquite, Dr Rai Ragbir of Cumuto/Manzanilla, and Rodney Charles of Naparima.

Q: Who were the members of the party who were part of the general election meeting?
A: The members of the party who were part of the meeting included Saddam Hosein, Ravi Ratiram, Khadijah Ameen, Dr Rishard Seecheran, Barry Padarath, Michelle Benjamin, Dr Roodal Moonilal, and Davendranath Tancoo, as well as Dr Tim Gopeesingh, a former MP, and Wade Mark and Damien Lyder, opposition senators.

Q: Why were the five MPs excluded from the meeting?
A: The reasons for the exclusion are not clear, but the MPs who were left out have expressed their concerns and frustrations, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the party’s chances in the elections.