UNC-A begins 'long march' to topple TT government

The Opposition United National Congress Alliance (UNC-A) staged day-one of a march Saturday to Port of Spain as part of its strategy to bring down the Manning government.

Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj told supporters, "We are working on a plan and as soon as the PNM collapses, as they would collapse shortly, and there is general elections, the UNC-A with united people, will win government of Trinidad and Tobago."

Maharaj pointed to the recent food riots in Haiti that caused the collapse of the government because citizens unleashed their power. "It is time that we in Trinidad and Tobago demonstrate people power too," he said.

Maharaj, Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner and Cumuto/ Manzanilla MP Harry Partap took part in Saturday's march.

Maharaj led a march from Cedros to Port of Spain during the 2001 general election campaign in which his Team Unity created enough of an impact to cause the 18-18 tie that led to decision by then President Arthur N.R. Robinson to fire Basdeo Panday as prime minister and hand the job to Patrick manning.

Manning governed for nine months without convening Parliament and won the general election in 2002 with a 20-16 majority.

The former Attorney General led a second Cedros to Port of Spain to protest the smelter plant in Chatham. Maharaj noted that Manning had to back down "because we created such a people force and power in the country that the government had to back down."

This time he is hoping for a more dramatic political result.