Shane Superville
Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation (SGRC) Kenwyn Phillip along with several Cumuto/Manzanilla residents say they are disappointed in the decision of their MP, Dr Rai Ragbir, to break ranks with the Opposition and vote in favour of the passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill.
Dr Ragbir was the lone member of the Opposition who voted with the Government in amending clauses to the act on Friday afternoon during a sitting of the House of Representatives.
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday afternoon, Phillip said he felt betrayed by Ragbir’s stance, adding that the MP had failed to meet with councillors despite repeated requests.
“I have reached out on numerous occasions asking to have dialogue with the MP for our area; up to this day, the MP never reached out to us as councillors, and he doesn’t have that communication with us in Grande.
“Since after the internal elections, it has become worse, and the MP made certain statements on his Facebook page. I would like to tell the MP, if persons come to you with complaints, there are avenues you can take.”
Dr Ragbir was recently identified as one of several dissident members of the UNC demanding the party leader call the national executive elections.
Guardian Media visited Cumuto, Sangre Grande South, and parts of North Manzanilla yesterday and spoke with several residents who chastised Ragbir for not standing with the UNC for the vote.
Businesswoman Nefertari Kernahan described Ragbir’s decision to vote with the Government as “vindictive”, citing the defeat of his United Patriots team during the recently concluded UNC internal elections.
“His slate was rejected by the UNC membership. It’s a big betrayal because, at the end of the day, the PNM stick together and never go against or vote against their party. We do not support Rai Ragbir in Cumuto/Manzanilla.”
Several other constituents also vowed to withold their support for Ragbir as an MP for future elections over his decision.
Lifelong Cumuto resident Asya Ali said she has lost trust in him and could not bring herself to support him.
“I will never go back to dip my finger in any ink for him; when he did that, he went against what we supported him for. He is no longer welcome here.”
Another resident, Trevlyn Soogrim, said she was at odds with Ragbir’s reason for breaking ranks with his party and was upset over the decision.
“That is more than betrayal; you all can’t publish what I really want to say,” she told reporters bluntly.
Ascila Deonarine said she would not be staining her finger or MP Dr Rai Ragbir.
Several residents who asked not to be named also promised to express their dissatisfaction through a demonstration at one of Dr Ragbir’s constituency offices this week.