San F'do mayor leaves COP, joins UNC to run for post of Deputy Leader

San Fernando mayor Marlene Coudray has switched parties and is running for one of the posts of Deputy Leader of the United National Congress (UNC) in the party's internal election on Saturday.

Deputy Leader Roodal Moonilal, who is leading one of three slates in the election, confirmed on Sunday that Coudray is now a member of the UNC and has fulfilled all the requirements to contest the elections.

Coudray was a member of the Congress of the People (COP) and contested the 2007 general election in San Fernando West for the COP. That seat is currently held by COP's Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan.

Coudray had a very public fight with former Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who tried to arbitrarily transfer her from her post of Chief Executive Officer of the San Fernando City Corporation after Manning and Coudray's partner, Larry Achang, fell out. She took Manning to court and won her discrimination suit, which was handled by Anand Ramlogan, who is the current Attorney General.

Following the 2010 general election she was appointed as an Alderman and then elected Mayor of San Fernando.

Moonilal and another deputy leader of the UNC, Suruj Rambachan, accompanied Coudray to the Rienzi Complex to file her nomination papers. She confirmed to local media that she filed her papers and that everything was in order.

“When I was asked to do this, I thought about it very hard. I am an ardent supporter of the Prime Minister. I said in whatever way I can help, I am willing to give support and that was why I decided to contest...The UNC is the party that I want to settle down with," Coudray said.

She said she had not informed her former leader, Prakash Ramadhar, of her decision, noting that she did not have to seek his approval. "I am a big woman. In due course I will let him know,” she told reporters. Coudray said she had not been active in COP for a long time.

Moonilal told reporters he is happy that Coudray is on his team. “We are extremely honoured and pleased and I want to congratulate Ms Coudray for taking this very brave step to join us, not only the party, but also the executive and the future executive.

“She is duly nominated the deputy political leader. Ms Coudray has satisfied all the requirements of the party. As you know the party has very stringent requirements to be nominated based on membership and she has satisfied all the requirements,” he said. Moonilal's team comprises 16 candidates. No one is running for the post of chairman.(** represents incumbent):

1. Dr Roodal Moonilal - 1st Deputy Political Leader**
2. Dr Surujrattan Rambachan - 2nd Deputy Political Leader**
3. Marlene Courday - 3rd Deputy Political Leader
4. Khadijah Ameen - Vice Chairman
5. Colin Partap - Policy and Strategy Officer**
6. Shane Mohammed - International Relations Officer**
7. Ramona Ramdial - Elections Officer**
8. Don Sylvester - North Regional Co-ordinator**
9. ChandreshSharma - Party Organiser
10. Arnold Ram - Research Officer** 
11. Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh - Central Co-ordinator
12. Yvette Richards - East Co-ordinator**
13. Shanty Boodram - South Regional Co-ordinator**
14. Barrington "Skippy" Thomas - Tobago Regional Co-ordinator**
15. Dr Daphne Phillip - Education Officer**
16. William Archie -Treasurer**