By Sue-Ann Wayow
MEMBER of Parliament for Naparima Rodney Charles is not bothered where he sits in the Parliamentary Chamber as long as he continues to stand for integrity.
Charles was responding to statements made by political leader of the United National Congress (UNC) and the UNC’s STAR team Kamla Persad-Bissessar the night before, when she suggested that he be moved from his place next to her on the Opposition’s benches.
His response was made at a political meeting at the Felicity Hindu School on Tuesday hosted by Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally in support of the UNC’s United Patriots (UP) led by Mayaro MP Rushton Paray.
Charles said, “Last night I hear that I get a favour, they give me a safe seat and how I get to sit down next to the queen and I should be honoured…”
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Stating he was no “neemakaram” Charles said, “I am UNC and I am proud and I am a member of the United Patriots so I want to tell them, you could move me, it matters not where I sit in Parliament, of more significance are the enduring principles of integrity, ethics, decency and class and broughtupcy.”
Praising members and leadership of the United Patriots, Charles said, “I cannot allow my clean Rushton Paray to be slaughtered by people who I well….”
He trailed off saying he was advised to not say anything “about the other side.”
Charles said, “When you support a man like Rushton Paray, you tell Trinidad and Tobago that there are honest, clean, law-abiding citizens within the United National Congress (UNC).”
He encouraged UNC members to vote for the UP team and a brighter, stronger T&T adding that as a 75-year-old man, he knows how to pave the way for others.
Earlier in the day, Paray had posted on social media, “It does not matter where I sit, all that matters is what I stand for. Stand with me for a stronger UNC for a stronger T&T.”
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Paray also spoke at the meeting along with MP’s Anita Haynes and Dr Rai Ragbir, attorneys Larry Lalla and Kiel Taklalsingh and others.
They maintained their love for the UNC and Persad-Bissessar but emphasised that in order to oust the People’s National Movement (PNM) out of office, the party needed a leadership change.
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