Cut UNC MPs say goodbye to constituents

2779172

Several outgoing Opposition United National Congress (UNC) MPs have thanked constituents and bid them farewell.

Last Sunday, the party announced its new candidate team for upcoming August 10 General Election. Out of the current 18 incumbents, eight were retained and 10 replaced.

Yesterday, some of those replaced reached out to express thanks to constituents and others.

In a message to constituents, Christine Newallo-Hosein, who was replaced in Cumuto/Manzanilla by Dr Rai Ragbir, stated, “To all my absolutely wonderful constituents, it has been my utmost pleasure to serve you. I thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for granting me favour beyond measure to ably complete notable infrastructural projects I never imagined possible in opposition, but then, with Christ, all things are possible to them that believe.”

She added, “I wish to express my gratitude to my political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for allowing the privilege of serving you. Thank you for inviting me into your homes and your lives. I will always have fond memories of you….”

Dr Bhoe Tewarie, who was replaced in Caroni Central by Arnold Ram, also reached out to constituents, saying, “Beautiful people of Caroni Central, I thank you for the opportunity to serve you for the last five years. It was a joy and a privilege.

“You embraced me and I was able to build good community spirit everywhere in Caroni Central. You are the salt of the earth and even though I got important things done for you, I wish I could have done more. Be strong, brave and productive as you always are…”

Fazal Karim, replaced in Chaguanas East by Vandana Mohit, said to constituents, “Working for and alongside you has been one of the greatest honours and joys of my career, and my life. I thank you for placing your faith in me, and pray you will continue to grow and prosper, building on all of the work we’ve done together for the last five years. May God bless you and our beloved Nation.”

Ramona Ramdial, who was replaced in Couva North by Ravi Ratiram, told her constituents: “To my wonderful constituents, I want to thank you for all the love and support you’ve given to me as your MP from 2010-2020. This familial relationship grew from strength to strength and we endured the challenges of trying to make the constituency of Couva North a model one.“Ramdial detailed accomplishments of her tenure from government to opposition. She ended by thanking Persad-Bissessar for allowing her the opportunity to serve two terms and for supporting her when she got married and had children. She pledged continued support to her leader and the party.

Congress of the People’s Prakash Ramadhar, replaced in St Augustine by Khadijah Ameen, said via a statement, “At a time of high crisis, T&T needs the best of each and every one of us. I do hope and pray those who are successful and those who may not be, may their ambition to serve not be diminished and that, we, the people, get the best you can possibly give.

“I haven’t put myself forward as a candidate for any party, nor have I screened for anyone. This is a decision I took some time ago. This country is in need of service, in or out of office, and it’s my intention to always do that which is right and proper to the benefit of my country today, and prepare for a better future.”

He also thanked Persad-Bissessar and his UNC colleagues, “Notwithstanding I didn’t belong to their party, I was treated as an independent and for that I am very grateful.’’

Ramadhar detailed what the PP Government achieved and added, “My intent was always noble and I did my best to lift the politics in this country.”

He also thanked constituents.

“It will be one of the highlights of my life in your service. I thank you for that.”