Bharat calls on everyone to rally behind Kamla and Jack

Vasant Bharath launched a scathing attack on the Patrick Manning administration Friday night for spending more than $300 billion in the eight years since it assumed office - more than the total amount spent for all governments in Trinidad and Tobago from 1956 to 2001.

Bharath was speaking at a meeting of the United National Congress (UNC) in St. Augustine, the constituency he represented in the 9th Parliament which was dissolved on April 8 for the general election that will be held on May 24.

Bharath said the PNM government has mismanaged the economy and is now on the run and faces banishment, possibly for all time. But he cautioned supporters not to get complacent or to believe that the victory has already been won.

He promised that on May 25 a new government will take office and begin the process of returning the country to the "an even keel". Bharath praised both the UNC political leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar and party chairman Jack Warner and appealed to everyone to support them and the new leadership of the UNC.

Bharath used economic statistics to show the failure of the Manning administration. He said for the first time in 17 years a government has presided over a 3.5 per cent decline in the economy. He said there is decline in every sector of the economy from manufacturing to agriculture.

Exports, he noted, are down 50 per cent and energy revenues have tumbled from $32 billion to $18 billion. "The only thing that is increasing is more PNM empty promises," he said.

Former UNC cabinet minister Dr Fuad Khan called on everyone to get the election day machinery ready. He thanked the party for nominating him to run again in Barataria/San Juan, the constituency he won in four consecutive elections.

He said it is time to retire the PNM from Barataia/San Juan and replace arrogance with humility. He pledged to make sure that San Juan will once again have a market for locals.