While nomination day is usually a mundane process hyped with flags and tassa, the People’s National Movement (PNM) dropped a surprise with former United National Congress (UNC) alderman Hyacinth Rampersadsingh among the PNM campaign team supporting candidate Anderson “Andy” “Papi” Nanan for the Quinam/Morne Diablo by-elections.
Rampersadsingh, also a former Quinam/Morne Diablo councillor at the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation, had touted herself as Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s 'sister'. A staunch follower of Persad-Bissessar’s work in her Siparia constituency, Rampersadsingh told reporters that nothing is cast in stone when asked about shifting her loyalty.
“The only thing I have to do is to die,” Rampersadsingh said outside the Returning Officer’s office along the SS Erin Road, Penal.
“I was free. I was not obligated to anybody, and when Anderson called me and said he would like to get somebody like me to be in his campaign, I said well, fine, I am free, and I will go with you. I will advise you. I will walk with you, and I will do whatever is necessary to make your campaign successful,” she said.
Despite wearing red, Rampersadsingh denied jumping between parties or any rumblings between her and the UNC, saying everyone has a choice. She said the mood was hype in Nanan’s camp, and he was in good spirits because he felt the love and support of the people in the district. She described Nanan as a passionate and grounded man who loves people, sees their needs and wants to bring representation to the people.
Asked why some UNC members are crossing over to the PNM, Rampersadsingh said people are just shifting allegiance, which is their choice to make. She said everything in life is for a time, and UNC will not be there forever.
Asked if she could return to the UNC, Rampersadsingh asked, “Why am I jumping? I have other things to do. I have leadership qualities and have engaged in community service for the past 45 years without straying, regardless of UNC and PNM. I work with everybody across the board. I am a woman like that. You know: Easy to find, easy to get along with, always reachable, always for the people and with the people.”