Shastri Boodan
Freelance Correspondent
Chaguanas West residents have mixed views on how the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) has been dealing with Dinesh Rambally, the MP for the area who challenged Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s leadership.
Guardian Media visited parts of the constituency on Wednesday and spoke with residents, including religious leaders, food vendors, pensioners and government employees.
Rasheed Karim, 55, a Muslim cleric who runs the Masjid ul Faraaqan at Greenidge Street, Felcity, said Rambally was given a raw deal by the UNC.
He said, “It seems as though the better of the MPs are being sidelined and it seems as though the honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar is being wrongly advised, as usual.”
Karim said people were dissatisfied with the performance of the People’s National Movement (PNM) and would gravitate towards the UNC and hold on to thinking that if the UNC came into power, they might be better served.
He said, “But this is a thought that is being wasted. We have a year again for a general election and I would think that the political leader, if she would like to become the next prime minister, should do things in her capacity that would encourage all hands on deck.”
Doubles vendor Sabita Ali said she was not totally up to date with what is taking place in the UNC.
However, she said, “I don’t know what to say about that, all I know is that I am a die-hard UNC. They do a lot for the country and it’s time for them to come back and take over the country.”
Pensioner Tony Dookoo, 64, of Ajodah Road, said the UNC was not heeding Rambally despite his cries for betterment in Chaguanas West.
“The leader of the UNC is not taking heed of what he (Rambally) is saying, she want to do whatever she think is the right thing to do. As far as I see, other people in the UNC, their opinions do not matter.”
Roy Mohammed, 53, a vendor from Munroe Road, also said Rambally was being sidelined.
“The guy does work but when he asks for things, he doesn’t get it.”
When contacted, Rambally said the party was treating him with fear.
He said, “I think they seem more afraid of me than disdainful. The leader does not seem to like forceful voices. She seems terrified of anyone displacing her. Thus she chooses weak, less-than-accomplished people, who do not make her feel insecure.
“I would tell my constituents that the world is what it is, and the best we can do is the best we can do. So whoever the party’s nominee is, I would ask my constituents to get close to him or her, and ensure they get the services they need. I also tell them that I am always there for them, in government or not.”