Cadiz supports Karim, suggests Jack may lose deposit

On Friday night, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced a number of United National Congress candidates that included old faces and completely new ones.

Among the new are Senate President Raziah Ahmed for San Fernando West and economist Wayne Munroe for Tunapuna, constituencies with incumbent Congress of the People (COP) members of Parliament Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and Winston Dookeran respectively.

The changes also included Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training Senator Fazal Karim contesting Chaguanas East instead of Cadiz.

Speaking to Sunday Newsday in a telephone interview Cadiz said it is the way the “political game works” and that he “thoroughly” enjoyed the five years of providing representation.

“I have absolutely no problem with that and support the change,” he said.

He said there was “always a place for everyone” when talking about representation and that the party must determine the best candidate to fight a particular seat.

“You have to win election. And that’s it,” he said.

Cadiz also expressed the belief that Warner had another agenda other than representing constituents.

He predicted that Chaguanas East will remain a UNC seat and “Mr Warner may even lose his deposit in Chaguanas East”.

Karim told Sunday Newsday yesterday that he has spoken to Cadiz who agreed to support him and assist him “in very many ways” in the constituency.

He reported that he also met with the campaign committee and the constituency executive for today’s UNC rally.

Questioned about going up against Warner, Karim said hewas “very confident” and wished his colleague “all the best in the campaign”.

Karim will also be going up against the PNM candidate Parbatee Helen Maharaj, a 52-yearold guidance officer and political newcomer.

Also yesterday UNC deputy political leader Dr Roodal Moonilal said he does not believe that the presentation of the full Partnership slate a day before Nomination Day tomorrow and just three weeks before the September 7 election will have a negative impact, saying candidates have been working in the constituencies on the ground prior to them being announced.

Moonilal, also Housing Minister, spoke with media following the distribution of 100 Housing Development Corporation (HDC) homes yesterday.

At the event he announced that he had recently taken a note to Cabinet about establishing a housing estate specifically for members of the protective services.

He said this estate, likely located in Central, will feature high levels of security, day care, early childhood care and recreation and was based off similar estates internationally.