Shastri Boodan
Freelance Correspondent
Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir says he expects to be expelled from the United National Congress (UNC) party.
Ragbir is expecting the backlash after breaking ranks and voting with the People’s National Movement (PNM) on the Whistleblower Protection Bill in Parliament on Friday.
In an interview with Guardian Media at his Caroni Savannah Road, Chaguanas, office yesterday, the UNC MP said, “I know I will be asked to exit (not elected to contest as UNC MP). When I exit from the party, I will no longer be there, and I can no longer represent the people, but that’s ok, I will find other ways to assist people.”
In an exclusive interview with Guardian Media in March, Persad-Bissessar said, “The day they should break the party line, the party’s constitution is very clear again on what would be the consequence; they will be expelled from the party.”
However, Ragbir, who was accused by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar of working with the PNM, said he was receiving tremendous support for his stance.
“If I were to get ten comments (on social media page), I would say nine comments they agree with me; put country first. I think really and truly if you look deep into your hearts, because I was at a moral crossroads for myself, if I do this, what is my repercussion?”
He said, “What people have been sending to me has been very positive.”
He said putting T&T first was paramount.
Mixed reactions from supporters
Despite this statement from the MP, Ragbir’s Facebook page showed a mixture of reactions to his decision to support the Whistleblower Protection Bill.
In the aftermath of his decision to vote with the ruling party, Ragbir posted a statement to his Facebook page, MP For Cumuto/Manzanilla, explaining why he opted to do so.
In the comments section of the post, some hailed their MP’s decision, labelling him “a man of integrity, respect, and having done the right thing.”
However, others chastised him for not voting along party lines, slamming his decision and calling for him to resign as their representative, while others labelled him “a total failure.”
Ragbir said he felt the bill was good law and was saddened to be branded a PNM agent by Persad-Bissessar.
“What is important is that we took an oath in Parliament with your Qur’an, your Bible, and your Bhagavad Gita to serve the people, and I am really pleased with the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bisssessar when she said to serve the people. And I endorse her statement to put God in front and walk behind, and I do that clearly.”
The MP said people are feeling hopeless while, at the same time, many are jobless. “There is a massive exodus of professionals; those who are still doing technical vocational courses still have no jobs on the market, and university graduates have no jobs in the market. We have to work collectively as an opposition and a government so that we make T&T a pristine place.”
He added, “We need to make a change. The country, like the rest of the world, is riddled with crime, and we need to take a stance.” Ragbir said the PNM should not be stigmatised.
Rambachan: Moonilal best man to lead UNC
Former PP government minister Dr Suruj Rambachan said it was unfortunate that the UNC leader and people on the Star team late for the internal elections were labelling UNC members as PNM operatives.
He said, “I do not think that any of the persons who contested against Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s team can be labelled as PNM operatives. I think they are committed people to the UNC, and I think they will continue to be committed. Dr Ragbir is a good servant of the UNC. Dr Ragbir has served with dignity, he has served with honesty, and he has served very faithfully.”
Rambachan said Persad-Bissessar made a critical error when she openly supported the Star team. He said Persad-Bissessar was not moving to correct the animosity between both sides post-election.
“I don’t think a divided UNC can win the next elections.” Rambachan added.
“I think one of the failures of the current leadership (of the UNC) is its inability to attract a group of people who might be considered to be the new thinking mind of the UNC. The UNC will have to convince the population that they have alternative policies and an alternative development plan, especially relating to the economy and crime; unless that is done, the PNM will win by default.”
Rambachan said Persad-Bissessar was not the best person to steer the UNC ship at this time.
“I think that there are other people who can steer the ship; I see Dr Roodal Moonilal being able to fill the position, I think Mrs Bissessar will sooner or later have to make a decision on how leadership evolves in the UNC and we do not have a long time to do that.” He said leaders must realise when the time has come to leave.
No discussion on the matter so far—Moonilal
When asked about Ragbir’s comments that he expects to be booted from the UNC, Dr Roodal Moonilal, the party’s deputy political leader, said he could not comment on the MP’s removal at this time.
He said, “No, my comment is still that the MPs, you know, will conduct themselves in a manner that will determine their future. I have not been party to any discussions to expel, implode or explode the members of any kind.
“The members will determine their future by their actions, and the membership of the party will consider in due course any course of action that may be available and appropriate,” he said.
“What I can say is that Dr Ragbir, Rai is wrong, in that we caucus often; we caucus on that whistleblower legislation at least two times and even yesterday (Friday) before the sitting (of the Lower House). Members are assembled in the boardroom to caucus on bills and so on, and Dr Rai (Ragbir) absented himself even though he was in the precincts of the Parliament. I think it’s unfair and untrue that we don’t caucus and we did not take decisions. I will leave it like that,” Moonilal added.
However, nothing is expected to be done until after the UNC’s national executive is sworn in tomorrow, as there needs to be consultation on the matter.