In the wisdom of Divali’s light, both Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley echoed similar notes in their respective speeches at the Divali Nagar.
Both cited the world’s turbulence, the need for introspection and using Divali’s holy teachings. Views in common that US Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris and US Republican contender Donald Trump would hardly hold.
The world awaits the outcome of Tuesday’s battle between both. Trump is fighting another woman. But this time, Harris, a woman of colour, is in a campaign which has seen spectacular lows and highs – ridiculous to sublime. Each side has played to Americans’ fears and concerns. Division and unity. Positive progress and negative regress. Themes T&T is familiar with and faces ahead.
Over 60 million Americans voted up to yesterday. CBS News reported Tuesday that a higher number (just under 11 million) of Democrats compared to nearly 10 million Republicans voted. Eyes are on female and Latino voters.
It will be known imminently where T&T’s heading with the US. The Government has a history with both candidates. From the negatives with Trump’s administration, from Caribbean Lima group leaders’ division regarding Venezuela and the Secretary of State’s Jamaica visit with certain Caribbean governments, plus T&T’s designation in the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report, to US condemnation regarding Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez’s T&T visit, as well as this country’s concerns on the 2020 Venezuelan refugee wave.
The positives with Harris’ tenure regarding T&T and Caricom, come from Rowley’s COVID-19 vaccine talks (2021), meeting Caricom leaders on energy, finance and food security (2022), security assistance (2023) and Rowley’s meeting (2024) with her on matters including Venezuela.
The Biden-Harris administration facilitated T&T with assistance on crime, security and drug interdiction efforts, including Rowley’s success in getting a new US policy severely restricting firearm/ammunition exports to T&T and other countries; plus T&T’s OFAC licence for the Dragon and Manakin-Cocuina fields. Neither the Government nor the Opposition shared thoughts on Tuesday’s outcome.
Meanwhile, the PNM’s Divali celebration showed a united face after its October 19 General Council meeting where PNM labour officer Jennifer Baptiste-Primus and general secretary Foster Cummings reportedly braced Rowley on the PNM’s cancelled convention/internal election, and “mixed messages” on his leadership. Baptiste-Primus, who was in front at the Divali celebration, was hailed by speaker Senator Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal, who declared the PNM is “alive, well and family.”
A leaked video of the PNM’s Laventille West Women’s League showing one vote for MP Fitzgerald Hinds’ election candidacy signalled certain loopholes in the PNM. The party’s now on notice of early elections after acting Prime Minister Stuart Young’s six hints in his Divali address - and Young has been appointed to act again during Rowley’s Barbados trip.
The latest among UNC stalwarts wishing to return for elections is former Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial, who said Wednesday: “I emailed the UNC’s leader a month ago offering myself for a marginal seat in Central or North - not South. I received feedback from sources to ‘hold my hand’. As a UNC lifetime member, and experienced ex-MP and minister, it’s my duty to offer myself, since I’ve now developed a national profile. This is beyond issues with the leadership - the party’s bigger than anyone.
“If nothing happens by year end, I’ll weigh my options and see if I’ll work with smaller parties which contacted me. History’s proven UNC can never win on its own but UNC’s my home.”
Former Barataria/SanJuan MP Fuad Khan said Wednesday he’ll file nomination papers with the UNC.
“It’s the correct thing to do. I haven’t heard from the leader.”
Another former minister, Vasant Bharath, has maintained that if properly configured, the UNC is T&T’s only option. Interest in working with UNC, including contesting a seat, was reinforced last week when Bharath withdrew his 2022 legal action against political leader Persad-Bissessar for alleged “false, slanderous, misleading defamatory statements” against him. Bharath had denied involvement with ex-Caroni workers’ protest regarding lands, but Persad-Bissessar had made remarks, calling Bharath’s name. His legal action is now settled “to the satisfaction of their respective positions,” it has been confirmed.
The HOPE, which is still to confirm candidates, has informed the UNC’s estranged MPs that its gate is “always open.” UNC’s Rushton Paray says he’s maintained UNC must remain open to dialogue with all. “Once there’s national development interest, the UNC’s the umbrella for such talks. I still believe it’s the best vehicle to good governance,” Paray said.