People’s National Movement (PNM) Member of Parliament (MP) Esmond Forde has warned the United National Congress (UNC) that he is “born, bred and bringing home” Tunapuna for the party. And Toco/Sangre Grande MP Roger Monroe says the UNC can’t touch Toco.
Forde and Monroe issued the warnings after the UNC’s recent statement that its general election plan focuses on ten seats.
The UNC is targeting San Fernando West, La Horquetta/Talparo, Tunapuna, St Joseph and Toco/Sangre Grande, which are held by the PNM. It is also seeking to hold five of its current seats: Moruga/Tableland, Mayaro, Pointe-a-Pierre, Chaguanas East and Barataria/San Juan. The National Transformation Alliance is targeting the same ten seats.
PNM MPs Foster Cummings (La Horquetta/Talparo), Faris Al-Rawi (San Fernando West) and Terrence Deyalsingh did not reply to queries, but PNM’s Forde said the UNC’s bid was not new.
Speaking from Guyana, where he was attending a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference, Forde said, “Esmond Forde has always been and will always be in the homes of all Tunapunians. I was born here, educated here, lived here and working for the people here. “Bringing Tunapuna home for PNM, that’s me—on board with Forde!”
Forde detailed his political career of 14 years of service to Tunapuna communities.
He said: “Five years as Tunapuna Regional Corporation councillor and nine years as Tunapuna MP—caring and just showing love to 27,000 plus constituents from Tacarigua to Maracas.
“My track record is there for all to see. I serve all in Tunapuna. Every race, class, colour, religion can attest to the work and services they’ve benefited from. What has been said by the others isn’t happening in Tunapuna. They don’t do anything on the ground in Tunapuna, because Tunapuna isn’t neglected at any source.”
Toco/Sangre Grande MP Monroe also dismissed UNC’s chances in his area.
“It’s no strange news that the UNC has targeted Toco-Sangre Grande and they’re free to. But I’m very confident that the PNM, along with myself, have been doing tremendous work within the constituency,” Monroe said.
“Given the track records of the various developmental works and outreach programmes and the consistent and unwavering partnership between myself as MP and the various groupings within the constituency—whether religious groupings, sporting entities, NGOs or all stakeholders and constituents—overall, the UNC has no chance in the upcoming general elections, particularly in Toco/Sangre Grande.”