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| File: COP leader Prakash Ramadhar |
Prakash Ramadhar told reporters at a news conference that COP views the development as disrespectful. However he said it is a problem that can be fixed.
The day before the chairman of his party, Joseph Toney, issued a strongly worded media release denouncing Coudray's move, using the same term - poaching - and saying it could hurt relations with the UNC and harm the governing coalition.
“We are not going to quietly absorb disrespect,” Ramadhar declared. He said Coudray is not a private individual but a mayor who left the COP and joined the UNC.
Coudray has dismissed COP's concerns and has stated that she would not have abandoned COP if it had nominated her for the post of mayor. She said contrary to a widely held view that she was a COP nominee, it was the UNC that presented her for the mayor's post.
UNC deputy political leader and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal had reacted to Toney's comments on poaching by suggesting that COP should be the last one to make that point since almost its entire membership was from the UNC.
Ramadhar condemned Moonilal's comments, saying it reflects a style of old politics. He added that the People’s Partnership should be looking to a position of strength rather than division.
Ramadhar said he did not wish to make any further statements that might influence the outcome of Saturday's election. However he said he would have more to say after the vote.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has made a commitment to meet with the leaders of the all the members of the coalition.
He said the COP wants to preserve the PP as its co-parents despite what he called "recklessness". He said the people want new politics that would see individuals and T&T rise.
Coudray has dismissed COP's concerns and has stated that she would not have abandoned COP if it had nominated her for the post of mayor. She said contrary to a widely held view that she was a COP nominee, it was the UNC that presented her for the mayor's post.
UNC deputy political leader and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal had reacted to Toney's comments on poaching by suggesting that COP should be the last one to make that point since almost its entire membership was from the UNC.
Ramadhar condemned Moonilal's comments, saying it reflects a style of old politics. He added that the People’s Partnership should be looking to a position of strength rather than division.
Ramadhar said he did not wish to make any further statements that might influence the outcome of Saturday's election. However he said he would have more to say after the vote.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has made a commitment to meet with the leaders of the all the members of the coalition.
He said the COP wants to preserve the PP as its co-parents despite what he called "recklessness". He said the people want new politics that would see individuals and T&T rise.
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