UNC base unaffected by Caroni closure

THE CLOSURE of Caroni (1975) Limited would not impact too heavily on the traditional support base of the United National Congress (UNC) in Central Trinidad. This was the view of former Food Production Minister Trevor Sudama yesterday, 24 hours before the final working day for Caroni’s 9,000 daily-paid employees. Referring to last October’s general elections and the July 14 Local Government Elections, Sudama conceded that there was “some fallout” in UNC heartland but it was “not significant” enough to cause the people of Central Trinidad to shift their support to the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM). He said the PNM used State resources and mechanisms such as CEPEP to gain “beach heads” in Central for their assault on the UNC citadel and got some support because of people’s disenchantment with Basdeo Panday and the UNC. “They (PNM) have not achieved anything,” Sudama stated.

The former minister added that most Indo-Trinidadians in UNC heartland showed their disappointment in the party by abstaining from the July 14 polls and only a few supported the PNM. He said by and large, Indo-Trinidadians remain loyal to the UNC, but will not come out unless they are motivated to do so. Sudama also said if UNC voters who went over to the PNM feel the ruling party reneged on its campaign promises they would either abstain or “return to the fold” in future elections. The latest NACTA poll on Monday, said Panday is the PNM’s biggest asset to staying in power and predicted the PNM would consolidate itself in government by winning four additional seats in the next general elections.