By Sue-Ann Wayow

FOR the first time since becoming Prime Minister Stuart Young, SC,  sat down for a one-on-one interview, speaking about a variety of topics.

The interviewer was his political opponent for five years, former member of Parliament for Chaguanas West Dinesh Rambally.

Rambally, an attorney, who is also the Assistant General Secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS), spoke with Young at length on the radio and television programme “Jaagaran – The Awakening” aired on Radio and TV Jaagriti.

Rambally questioned Young on national issues such as crime, energy, the economy asking him what are his government’s plans and should they remain in government, how does he intend to tackle major issues.

And on lighter note, they also discussed Young’s preference for Superman instead of Batman at the end with Young saying he prefers Superman because his name starts with “S”.

“That is the perfect example of how you could differ in opinion and you may not always see eye to eye but I still like Superman,” Young joked with Rambally.

Rambally replied, “All my years of being on the other side of the arguments, we are up against each other in the courtroom, in the politics and stuff, this one really hit me hard.”

At the end of the in-depth interview, Rambally told Young he was appreciative of him making the time to have the interview.

He said invitations were issued to office holders and Young respond almost immediately.

Rambally said, “You know, I am out of a job, the one I had before, so I am full time back in my legal practice, so it was really on account of my commitments that we couldn’t have facilitated this earlier.”

He emphasised that Young was very much interested in being part of the interview and Radio and TV Jaagriti wanted to give its audience an opportunity to hear from Young (up, close and personal) since becoming prime minister so that they can make up their minds going forward.

Young also thanked Rambally, and the media house’s management for the invitation.

He said the SDMS has played a major role in Trinidad and Tobago and continues to make positive influences.

Young told Rambally, “My call is for togetherness and for unity so thank you for this opportunity. I will have know, this is the first interview that I have done, sit down since I have become prime minister which now is about four weeks and I am glad it unfolded this way. So thank you very much and especially for the staff who made this possible and I look forward to the future and I look forward to us writing the next chapter together.”

Young officially became prime minister on March 17.

Rambally also said, “For all the time that I have been doing Jaagaran, I didn’t have an audience waiting outside to greet me before I come into studio. But today when I arrived, I saw people like an entourage and they were waiting so I thought I could feel good about myself but no, they were waiting to meet the Prime Minister, a Superman fan.”