Member of Parliament for Cumoto/Manzanilla Dr Rai Ragbir has revealed that he will not be participating in the UNC's screening process to contest the next general election.
" It is with deep disappointment that I announce I will not participate in the UNC’s screening process for re-election as the Member of Parliament for Cumuto/ Manzanilla. After careful reflection, I can no longer align myself with a party that has abandoned its principles, rewards mediocrity, shields those accused of wrongdoing and punishes integrity.
I refuse to submit myself to a screening committee that includes individuals currently charged with wrongdoing, embroiled in court cases involving mismanagement of public funds at the EMBD, allegedly linked to gang activity and even one individual who has serious allegations of human trafficking to answer," he said in a statement.
Dr Ragbir said serving his constituents has been the greatest privilege of his life.
"But I can no longer serve under a leadership that prioritizes personal loyalty over public service, a leadership that stifles dissent rejects accountability, and has transformed the UNC from a political party into a personality cult devoted entirely to the worship of Kamla Persad-Bissessar," he said.
The MP said last year when he voted in favour of whistleblower legislation to protect public funds- particularly within institutions like the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation—he was met with hostility, alienation, and silence.
"This legislation was about basic accountability, yet accountability is not welcome in Kamla’s UNC. Under her leadership, the UNC has become a hollow shell— driven by divisive rhetoric, empty theatrics, and relentless internal purges. This is no longer the party founded by the late Basdeo Panday. Kamla’s UNC does not tolerate independent thought. Dissent is met with smears, backroom sabotage, and expulsion.
Instead of building a team based on competence, she has surrounded herself with sycophants—yes-men and yes-women whose only qualification is slave devotion," he said.
Dr Ragbir said he will continue to fight for equality and justice, but
cannot do so under a UNC leadership, which he said, has lost its moral compass and is more interested in protecting the corrupt than serving the people.