Divided NAR confident of THA win

THE NAR is confident of winning all 12 seats in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections, once there is a union with its break-away faction, the Democratic Action Congress (DAC), led by Hochoy Charles. At Victoria Square in Port-of-Spain yesterday, Tobago leader Cecil Caruth told reporters at NAR’s 14th annual conference that a meeting is scheduled to take place soon between both parties on forming a united front to oppose the PNM in the elections.

The THA was dissolved last Thursday, paving the way for elections which could be held in early January. The NAR won four seats in the 2001 elections, but its seats were reduced to two when the split occurred. Caruth said if the parties were not united, “We would still make a difference if we go alone.” He said, “We are sure we could replace them (PNM) if we have a united front.” However, both Caruth and Christo Gift, the Tobago NAR Chairman, took issue with the fact that the party had not yet seen the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Tobago report dated April 2004. They said the report has recommended changes in ten seats, but every time they ask for the document, they are being told it is not ready. They said the report was laid in the House of Representatives last Friday, but they are still to get a copy.

Caruth said there was a clear advantage “immiscible to the democratic practices,” if only one party has the report. However, he confidently boasted that despite the NAR being put in a vulnerable position, “It will not be a walkover.” He said there was a clear attempt by the PNM to “steal the march.” Both men also felt that Chief Secretary Orville London did not need to dissolve the THA, especially since the EBC report is yet to be approved in Parliament. They said the House could have been dissolved in February, as the law requires that elections are to be held four years after the first meeting. The first meeting was held on February 1, 2001. The conference was scheduled to start at 10 am, but did not get underway until noon. By 2 pm, delegates and the handful of supporters were enjoying lunch, to return for the afternoon session of addresses by Caruth, political leader Lennox Sankersingh and deputy political leader Carson Charles. The election of a chairman was also to be held between Clyde Constantine and his competitor Rawle Raphael. It was the only post being contested, as all other positions were unchallenged.