Ramesh: UNC can win election

Maharaj’s made this remark at a UNC meeting at Spring Village Community Centre in St Augustine on Thursday. Referring to the split, Maharaj said it was a case of “minor matters which will be sorted out shortly.” Listing the shortcomings of the Government, he then declared: “we have a better chance to win the general elections now than we had in 1995.” He said the current Government is the most unpopular this country has ever seen.

“The Manning Government is seeing the Opposition in some problems but is afraid to call general elections because his Government is so unpopular,” Maharaj said. He urged UNC members to attend today’s national assembly saying: “the party is not perfect but don’t believe it can’t win the next general elections.” He urged those present to tell their loved ones that the UNC could win the next general elections if it unites at ground level. “I’m telling you, Manning is history. I’ve given my commitment to work with Basdeo Panday.”

He praised the head-table, saying: “which team out there could beat a team of Basdeo Panday, Ramesh, Kamla, Jack, Wade, Trevor and Kelvin?”.

Maharaj attacked House Speaker Barry Sinanan for banning the anti-smelter march from assembling yesterday in Woodford Square. He wondered if Sinanan acted out of fear of Manning and so as to avoid the house arrest once suffered by former speaker Occah Seapaul. Likening Manning to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Maharaj said: “Trinidad and Tobago is on the brink of dictatorship.” He said Manning was afraid to meet protestors like the East Port-of-Spain residents and the anti-smelter group.