Chaguanas
Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally has made it clear that he has no intention of mending his relationship with UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, asserting that he and four other so-called dissidents have been sidelined.
At the opening of the Industrial Court’s new term in Port-of-Spain yesterday, Rambally told reporters he is frustrated with the lack of structure within the UNC. He reiterated his doubts about Persad-Bissessar’s ability to win the next general election and expressed dissatisfaction with his inability to effectively represent his constituents.
During the first sitting of the House of Representatives, as Parliament reconvened for its fifth and final session of the 12th term last Friday, five UNC members, labelled as dissidents, were seated at the far end of the chamber, away from the UNC leader. Rambally described this arrangement as the latest slight against them.
“It is no secret that the five of us, we have been sidelined for a long time. And I have asked to debate. I have just not dealt with it publicly because I don’t want to give any impression or give the opportunity to Mrs Persad-Bissessar of all people to make these ridiculous comments that we are vexed that we are not speaking in Parliament. That is not so. But we would like to make a contribution.”
Rambally added that Mayaro MP Rushton Paray was ready to debate last week, and they have all made it clear to the chief whip that they are prepared to do so.
Among the other dissidents are Naparima MP Rodney Charles, Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne and Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Dr. Rai Ragbir.
Rambally emphasised that he is not interested in repairing his relationship with Persad-Bissessar.
“Kissing and making up? That is not in my DNA. I’m not interested in that. I am interested in that if we want to run this country properly, I think we need to pull back things. We need to start having structure in the UNC which it does not have.”
Rambally also said it was too early to decide whether he will submit nominations when the party screens candidates for the general elections. He criticised the screening process, arguing that it is unfair to expect him to declare a clean legal record while others on the screening committee may have unresolved legal issues.
“You put out a form which everybody is expected to sign, those who have pending proceedings, those who have likely proceedings, those who have criminal proceedings and whatever else. I need not say anymore. I can’t know that I have submitted mine and I have a clean bill of health but you have persons who don’t have a clean bill of health seeking to screen me.”
Attempts to reach Persad-Bissessar for comment were unsuccessful up to press time.