Just one week before local government elections, Congress of the People's (COP) political leader Prakash Ramadhar admits that the party has lost popularity since the People's Partnership Government was elected in 2010. "There is no political party that is strong at the time of election. In 2010, there was a wonderful environment and then there was the reality. There has been two generations of neglect and we are working towards changing the system."At the end of this term, the determination will made if this Government has lived up to the expectation of the people," he said.Ramadhar was speaking yesterday at the launch of its candidates for the local government elections at COP's Flagship House, corner, Broome and Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain.
COP will contest seats in the Arima Borough Corporation, Diego Martin Regional Corporation, Port-of-Spain City Corporation, San Fernando and Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation.Whatever their popularity level is right now, he said he is not afraid."I am unafraid of whether we are stronger or weaker. Our challenge is to be around for long period of time. Our timeline is not about the next general election but future generations," he said.Responding to questions about Winston Dookeran's absence at yesterday's launch of candidates, Ramadhar said Dookeran is with them "in spirit."Dookeran is Foreign Affairs Minister and Member of Parliament for Tunapuna."He may not be physically here but he is with us. He walked with us yesterday and he is walking today. We have his full support," Ramadhar said.
He said whatever the results of the next general election, the COP is not going to roll over and die."I will tell you about the DNA of COP, we will never lie down and die. We will keep on. There are no real alternatives to the COP," he said.Yesterday, the party's deputy chairman Nicole Dyer-Griffith outlined the COP's "Total Local" manifesto which includes five steps.These include conducting needs assessment of the communities, planning, identification of resources, implementation and feedback from the communities."All that we do is in consultation with the communities," she said.