Four candidates, including the PNM’s Terrence Deyalsingh, who is seeking re-election for the Aranguez/St. Joseph constituency, submitted their nomination papers on Friday morning at the St. Joseph Community Centre.
The candidates all expressed confidence and respect for each other, highlighting the critical importance of this constituency in the upcoming April 28th General Election.
Mr. Deyalsingh said, “So right now I’m feeling confident but not complacent. I continue to do the work; this is not a done deal. We have to continue to work, and I think my work over the past 12 years in delivering to this constituency will play a great part.”
Also filing his nomination papers was the Leader of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA), Gary Griffith, who had only kind words for his opponents.
“Usually who wins St. Joseph, wins the election. It has usually been the case; that is how critical this constituency is. The two other candidates, Mr. Deyalsingh and Mr. Maharaj, I wish them the best. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about these two individuals. I know them well, and I have the world of respect for them. I think St. Joseph has very good options. There are three very good candidates.”
Political Leader of the Trinidad Humanity Campaign (THC) Marcus Ramkissoon said his party is only fielding three candidates this election, including St. Augustine, Tunapuna, and himself vying for Aranguez/St. Joseph.
“We’ve done one in 2010, three in 2015, seven in 2020, making us the fourth largest party in 2020 out of 19 contesting parties. And this time we’ll only be going with three, we have our reasons but we do intend to stay consistent as a small party, that’s why we’re here.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Deyalsingh also criticised Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for enticing the nation with false promises.
“By promising all these things, she will have to cut back. You see for the first six months, if she wins, everything will be fine. Public servants who are getting 10%, they will be able to go to Courts and buy TV, they will be able to go to Ansa and buy car, but after six months when she runs out of money, those same public servants, those same CEPEP workers, those same URP workers, when she can’t afford to pay them after six months, we will have to devalue 15 to 1, and what will be the fate of this country?”
Despite the margin of his win in 2020 being less than in the 2015 General Election, Mr. Deyalsingh said he is not worried.
“When we did the analysis post-election, many of our elderly people chose not to come out for fear of COVID. I am confident but not complacent that once we continue to do the work, once we continue to work, work hard, and stay true, and be responsible to the population, we will bring home the seat.”
The UNC’s candidate for the area is Devesh Maharaj.
TTT News also contacted Leader of the Patriotic Front, Mickela Panday, who noted that her candidate for the area was expected to file their nomination papers in the afternoon.