By Alicia Chamely
VOTE for clear leadership and be cautious of coalitions of self-interest.
This was the overarching message from the People’s National Movement candidates at the party’s Big Red Rally, held on Saturday at Eddie Hart Grounds, Tacarigua.
PNM supporters, young and old, gathered in waves of red, braved the afternoon heat to rally around their candidates who will face the polls on Monday.
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Maxi’s, buses and cars flying PNM flags lined the Orange Grove Road and Priority Bus Route.
Traffic to get to the event, even caught Attorney General Camille Robinson-Regis, making her a few minutes late.
Supporters were entertained with performances from the Northwest Laventille Cultural Movement, Exodus Pan band, Lady Lava, Kernell Roberts, Sherwin Winchester and others.
Supporters waved their flags and blew their horns loudly as their candidates were called on stage.
Leading the speakers for the evening was Sanjiv Boodhu candidate for Cumuto/Manzanilla. He cautioned against newly formed coalitions, criticising the United National Congress-led coalition of interest for not stating any clear leadership plans.
He said, “The PNM offers clear leadership. One team on a mission. Voting UNC is voting for a pickup side.”
His statement was echoed by his colleagues Kareem Marcelle, Foster Cummings, Penelope Beckles and Dr Keith Rowley who were also called upon to address the crowd. Former UNC MP Dinesh Rambally who has fallen out with the leadership of the UNC spoke at the even. His colleague, Anita Haynes was also in the crowd.
PNM political leader Dr Keith Rowley said, “A coalition of interest? Ask yourself what interest? Whose interest?”
He threw his support behind newly-appointed Prime Minister Stuart Young, expressing his confidence that Young could provide the strong leadership needed to move the country forward into the future.
Young lashed out at the UNC coalition as a “coalition of self-interest” and urged voters to vote for a “bold new chapter” that only the PNM can lead the nation to.
He said to an enthusiastic crowd, “This election is not about choosing a government. This is about choosing the kind of country we want to live in, and what we want to become.”
