Thursday, March 22, 2012

Survey finds Moonilal's Nationalists, Jack ahead in UNC election

A new survey suggests that Roodal Moonilal's Nationalists slate will sweep the polls in Saturday's internal election of the United National Congress (UNC). It also predicts a landslide victory for Jack Warner in his bid for re-election as chairman of the party.

There are three slates in the election. Moonilal's team comprises the incumbents who have served on the national executive (NATEX) of the UNC since January 2010, along with a few influential additions such as cabinet ministers Chandresh Sharma and Glenn Ramadharsingh.

Former UNC leader Basdeo Panday and his daughter, former Oropouche West MP Mickela Panday, are behind a team called Generation Next. And UNC activist Sunil Ramjitsingh is leading a team titled UNC Soldiers. He is running for a post of deputy leader.

None of the slates has a candidate for chairman, leaving the contest an open one between the incumbent Warner and his challenger, Attorney Ashwani Mahabir, who used to work as a researcher for Warner.

Both of them are running as independents. Moonilal has advised his supporters to vote for a chairman of their choice.

NACTA's survey suggests that UNC supporters favour the known candidates who have worked with the party for the past two years. However at the same time NACTA says people have been saying the NATEX had not been very effective. The organisation said this situation would likely lead to a low turnout to vote on Saturday.

NACTA said the majority of respondents had a negative reaction to the Panday team.

It said the most interest is being seen in the race for the chairmanship. NACTA reported that Warner has overwhelming support in all constituencies because people see him as a person who gets things done.

NACTA said respondents have also credited Warner with helping to get the People's Partnership together and with getting the coalition into government. Mahabir's support, NACTA said, is coming mostly from people backing the Nationalists slate.

However the organisation said the mood among the rank and file in the Nationalists camp is that Warner is the better candidate with a sound performance record.

NACTA said the majority of those who plan to vote said they will vote for candidates rather than slates. In that context, the nationalists have the edge because that team comprises names that are well known in the party.

NACTA said Moonilal is well ahead for deputy leader with Fuad Khan, Sunil Ramjitsingh, Suruj Rambachan and Marlene Coudray battling for the other two deputy spots. It said voters are backing Khan primarily for "his likeability and his performance" as Minister of Health.

It stated further that Glenn Ramadharsingh of the Nationalists is way ahead in the race for Central Coordinator because of his service to the people in his ministerial capacity.

Chandresh Sharma is also doing well for the post of Party Organizer although Sokram Ali is putting up a good fight,NACTA said.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai