JACK WARNER WINS CHAGUANAS WEST

VICTORY SMILE: Jack Warner, left is congratulated by
 Community Development Minister Winston 'Gypsy' Peters
after is victory in the Chaguanas West by-election on Monday. Photo: Micheal Bruce

Jack Warner completed almost three months of campaigning with a resounding victory in the Chaguanas West by-election by sweeping aside all other candidates.

Warner, the former Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West under the United National Congress (UNC) banner, formed his own party, the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) after his bid to seek re-election as a UNC candidate was rejected.

In a campaign that turned bitter at times, Warner steadfastly refused to say anything negative against Prime Minister and UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

During his victory speech Warner said: "It was not easy but the voice of the people is the voice of God."

"Tonight a new era has dawned," he said.

Up to the point of Warner's victory speech the results showed he had collected 69 per cent of the votes with 12,631, compared to the UNC's Khadijah Ameen, 5126, with just a few polling station count outstanding.

Source:trinidadexpress

Political Deju Vu: Chaguanas West

There is nothing new under the sun, and today there is nothing new in what we are seeing unfolding in our political arena. Some may say that Jack Warner is a 'sour grape' hiding behind his constant statements of "my fight is against the Cabal". But is Jack Warner really a 'Bitter' man? or is he a political opportunist who have found a perfect opportunity to turn around a woeful end into a glorious beginning?

Warner's 360 degree turn against the UNC may amaze some, but for others, we are ever reminded and cognizant that politics in T&T has a morality of its own. It was not too long ago that the UNC would have gone through this very same dilemma. Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj was deemed a Judas as he was seemingly jealous of the then Member of Parliament Carlos John and his purported successor role to the former leader   Basdeo Panday. Ramesh eventually broke ranks with the UNC forming "Team Unity" which at the end failed in its quest. In light of that history the question remains would Warner fail in his quest? 

The truth is that Warner's current situation is somewhat different from Ramesh's. Warner can be seen as 100 times more popular than Ramesh and to many may also be 100 times more politically clever and savvy. As one looks a bit more into recent history, one would notice the peculiarities of the 2010 general election. Please allow to point out a case in point. Former Prime Minister Patrick Manning, having elevated himself to a "maximus leader", did not listen to his "grassroot" supporters in giving them their desired candidate- Pennelope Beckles. Instead, a laurel Lezama Lee Sing the 'PNM Crapaud' was placed at the Arima seat losing her deposit to Rodger Samuel of the COP who would have not stood but a faint chance given that Manning would have rendered unto the 'grassroots' their candidate of choice. 

In like manner, 3 years post 2010, we have an identical situation facing us once again. Current Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar has given ear to her "Cabal" (those who detest Jacks popularity within the party) going against the very 'grassroot' supporters and as Manning has offered a child in the form of Khadijah Ameen to be her UNC Crapaud. 

History is repeating its self all over again. The 'Cabal' who advises the Prime Minister does not like Jack Warner's popularity and reach  in like manner Ramesh did not like Carlos John's rise in popularity. July 29 th Ms Persad-Bissessar would learn a telling lesson as did Manning. She would learn that Crapaud politics and tribal allegiance is dwindling. She would come face to face with the reality that she would have lost the Chaguanas West Constituency in the very way Manning would have lost his Arima 'SafeSeat'. 

Give the people what they want, or face Polital Deju Vu. 

Warner to launch color, symbol on ‘Fantastic Friday’

‘GOING GREEN’: Jack Warner greets supporters outside the
 Caroni Community Centre yesterday evening before his
cottage meeting. —Photo: AYANNA KINSALE

Jack Warner would be putting down his old political symbol and color as he goes green on July 29. Last night Jack Warner signaled at a cottage meeting that he will be contesting the Chaguanas West by-election. 

Warner is expected to launch the symbol and color which he will use on Friday at a meeting in Felicity which he has dubbed “Fantastic Friday”.

At the meeting, Warner said that tomorrow will be the last day he will be wearing the yellow color of the United National Congress (UNC) and green will be his election color. He made it clear that efforts can be made to take him away from the UNC, but the UNC cannot be taken away from him.

His walkabouts in the Chaguanas West constituency will continue.

The UNC with the endorsement of the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has named chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation Khadijah Ameen as their candidate for the Chaguanas West by-election, over Warner, who received a record 18,000-plus votes in the 2010 general election.

Warner said last night that yesterday, just before noon, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) ratified his nomination paper and everything was approved — his symbol, colour etc. He noted that his choice of greeen represents the sugar fields in Caroni, Chaguanas and the environs

Noting that the UNC has left him no alternative, he would be running because of love for party which he said he gave his life to. “The bond between you and me is a bond that cannot easily be broken,” said Warner as he disclosed he has a “plan” for his former UNC colleagues which he will unveil come Friday.

“They cannot take the UNC for me,” he said as he dealt with comments from party elections officer Ramona Ramdial that he will be expelled as a UNC member if he contests as an independent candidate.

“Ms Ramdial, cockroach have no place in fowl business, I plead with her tonight to stay out of fowl business!” said Warner.

He said there was now talk of the party’s constitution when the very party has not yet produced any financial records or held a party congress recently. Warner added that all 31 party groups in the Chaguanas West constituency nominated and supported him as their candidate.

He indicated that the support of at least 12 party groups was needed to endorse a candidate, Warner questioned which party groups endorsed Ameen.

Warner said he has no intention of crossing Persad-Bissessar or anyone from the UNC.

“The little boy from PNM, the little girl from UNC, nobody can tell you what they have done, they could tell you what they could do but only I could tell you what I have done and what I will continue to do,” said Warner.

“Because of you, I am never alone and therefore, I say to you tonight, we in Chaguanas West shall rise as a political grain of mustard seed to change the politics of Trinidad and Tobago,” said Warner.

He noted that in Egypt it was a nuts vendor who started a revolution of change.

“We in Chaguanas West have to be the catalyst of change and we shall show them on July 29 that change is here,” Warner declared. 

The Chaguanas West constituency   is considered a Safe Seat of the UNC.