By Sue-Ann Wayow
HOW can the population expect the United National Congress (UNC) to properly govern the country if the party has its own issues that need fixing?
This was the question asked by UNC candidate under the United Patriots (UP) slate Kiel Taklalsingh.
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Taklalsingh who is contesting the post of policy and strategy officer told supporters on Tuesday night that the entire population was looking on at the UNC, observing how the party conducts itself during this internal election season.
He was speaking during an UP meeting at the Diego Martin Central Community Centre.
Taklalsingh referred to a previous speaker Curtis Manchoon who is contesting the post of treasurer.
Manchoon armed with a copy of the UNC’s constitution focused on leadership and constitutional rights.
Taklalsingh said, “When you hear Mr Manchoon go through that constitution meticulously and point out all of the things in the party that are not working, it is clear that he is somebody when he is given a position, he is going to do a forensic job in our party and ensure that all those institutions are functioning.”
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He continued, “It is important because we must demonstrate to the population, not just our members… that we can fix institutions so if we can’t fix our party group, how are we going to fix the police service? If we can’t fix a national congress, how are we going to have constitutional reform to fix our constitution?”
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Taklalsingh praised supporters in Diego Martin for attending the meeting despite the inclement weather adding that the UNC had a tendency to focus on heartland areas.
“We have almost totally withdrawn from Tobago, we have no presence. But I know that will be fixed very soon when Chinelle Roberts is elected as our Tobago officer,” Taklalsingh said.
Roberts also spoke at the meeting.
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During his presentation, Manchoon read part of the constitution and like many of his candidate colleagues on the UP slate, maintained that UP leader, Rushton Paray did nothing wrong by calling for the party’s internal elections to be held.
“A member of the UNC since 1996, Manchoon said he has read the constitution, and it has not been followed.
“This constitution has been violated, it has been ignored,” he stated.
With the goal of getting into government, Manchoon said, “You don’t get what you want by staying where you are.”
His concept of leadership is that leadership should inspire people with honesty, integrity and trustworthiness.
“Leadership is when people want to follow somebody because they like what that person is doing to empower them, to help them in their situation. Not I am doing it because I fraid I lose meh wuk,” Manchoon said.
