Moonilal: PP keeping an eye on the PNM

File: UNC Deputy Leader Roodal Moonilal

Roodal Moonilal has acknowledged that the PNM defeated the People's Partnership (PP) in Monday's local government election but says it's because of a third party in the race.
"It was a very tough election for us," the Deputy Leader of the United National Congress told the Guardian newspaper. 

"As you know, in a three-party election, it is always very difficult. We said before elections and we say it after elections, that the PNM is never a victim of a three-party struggle. The PNM emerged victorious, but in my estimation they did not have to campaign. I don’t think they did campaign," Moonilal added.
"Our first port of call was to deal with the third party, which was the ILP, and I think we dealt with them in a commendable manner. Now the PNM is squarely on our radar and we will now meet and treat with the People’s National Movement. They are on our radar and we will now lock onto them with a laser-like precision and we will move towards the general elections, Moonilal told the Guardian.

Moonilal poured cold water on Jack Warner's Independent Liberal Party (ILP). "I don’t think they will pose further problems. In fact, I was amazed that Mr. Warner said the COP was dead. The COP got four seats and he got three and the COP contested less councils than he did," he said.

"So I don’t think that the ILP will make much more traction, much more inroads. But the St Joseph election will also give us a clue as to what is happening further," he added. 

He also had a warning for people who live in areas administered by PNM-led corporations. Moonilal said while the PP government would continue to treat all fairly and allocate necessary resources he doesn't expect much from the PNM.

"They can look forward to poor representation by the People’s National Movement," he said.