Avinash: Victory lies in struggle

That was how defeated PNM Chaguanas West candidate, Avinash Singh, 24, summed up his brief political journey in yesterday’s bye-election.

Singh came up against Jack Warner, former UNC chairman-turned interim political leader of the newly formed Independent Liberal Party (IPL), and UNC’s Khadijah Ameen in a bye-election which was called as a result of Warner’s resignation due to allegations of fraud in FIFA. Singh a UWI graduate and sweet potato farmer told reporters the bye-election was a challenge for him as a young individual living in Felicity.

He continued, “I gave this campaign my all; I gave it every single resource I have in terms of effort. I have definitely won my battle here in the PNM’s campaign of 2013,” Singh said. He said he was proud that he had accomplished what he had set out to do when he accepted the candidacy for a seat that is traditional UNC.

“I feel proud that I have accomplished what I set out to do, not necessarily winning the election by the number of votes, but by coming forward, taking the responsibility as a young person, facing all the challenges, and definitely trying to encourage, or making that impact with the younger generation and the older generationy.”

Singh was the only candidate to vote in the constituency. Warner and Ameen live outside the constituency of Chaguanas West. he will be the catalyst for change.

PNM and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley joined Singh at the party’s office in Chaguanas where they conceded defeat when it became clear that Warner had won.