By Alicia Chamely

FORMER United National Congress (UNC) Member of Parliament Anita Haynes is throwing her support behind the People’s National Movement (PNM) for Monday’s general election.

Haynes turned heads on Saturday at PNM’s Big Red Rally held at the Eddie Hart Grounds, Tacarigua.

Dressed in red, Haynes has now joined former UNC members Dinesh Rambally and Larry Lalla in turning their backs on the UNC and and appearing a PNM meetings. Rambally spoke at the Rally.

Speaking to Senator Amery Browne during and interview at the rally she said, “I have always acted in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago. I know there will be a lot of dissonance and noise around today, but to me this is a continuation of national development.”

Asked what she hoped for on Monday, Haynes said, “Our political discourse is too crowded by negatives, it’s too crowded by looking backwards instead of trying to decide what we can aspire too, what we can build as a future together. When we think about that, and we consider what is possible, there is only one responsible choice for our nation.”

Speaking on stage about his exile from the UNC and decision to join the PNM, Dinesh Rambally said, “Imagine calling for good governance branded me a PNM. So, if demanding good governance is being PNM, then hell yes! I am PNM!”

PNM Political Leader Dr Keith Rowley expressed his admiration for both Haynes and Rambally.

He said, “Two of the brightest stars in the UNC party, and two of the best parliamentarians opposite the PMN in parliament were Dinnesh Rambally and Anita Haynes. They were UNC when they came in, but they are here today with the PNM, because they are the future!”

Rambally and Haynes had joined former MPs Rushton Paray, Dr Rai Ragbir and Rodney Charles to contest internal UNC elections after calling for it on a slate opposed to one supported by UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar. They all lost.