Prakash Ramadhar, leader of the Congress of the People, warned that Trinidad and Tobago is in dire peril as the upcoming General Election approaches. He criticized the ruling PNM government for its failures in managing crime and the economy. Ramadhar encouraged COP supporters to reclaim their political stance, emphasizing the necessity for integrity in leadership and cautioning against future hardships akin to those experienced in Venezuela and Haiti.
During a recent meeting at the Congress of the People (COP) headquarters in Curepe, Prakash Ramadhar, the party leader, articulated serious concerns regarding the future of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). He proclaimed that the nation is in “mortal danger” if the current ruling party, the People’s National Movement (PNM), secures another term in the upcoming General Election, which he characterized as one of the most critical moments in the country’s history.
Ramadhar emphasized the severe peril facing the nation, suggesting that many citizens underestimate the situation’s gravity. He stated, “If we think things are bad now, we fail to understand the destructive forces that could be unleashed, if they haven’t already begun.” The COP leader expressed his distress that T&T, once revered as a regional leader, has become “a laughing stock on almost every level,” attributing this decline to the governance of the PNM and escalating crime rates, particularly in areas historically supportive of the party.
He remarked on the inadequacies of the PNM, noting their inability to maintain law and order in communities under their long-term governance. He lamented, “They cannot even control a community that they have governed all of the time from independence onwards. The state is now weak and meek. T&T is more than these things; we must restore law and order with decency and fairness.”
Ramadhar also critiqued the government’s economic management, specifically pointing to the closure of the Petrotrin refinery and the delayed attempt to find a buyer, raising questions about their timing and decision-making. He forewarned of an impending foreign exchange crisis and its potential impact on basic food availability, likening possible future suffering in T&T to that experienced in Venezuela. He cautioned that, if left unchecked, the nation could descend further into chaos, similar to the state of Haiti.
Challenging circulating political narratives, he argued, “The old propaganda about politicians ‘thiefing’ won’t be enough to sway voters this time.” While acknowledging the COP’s recent dormancy, he asserted the party’s enduring relevance and commitment to the ideals of “new politics,” as envisioned by former leader Winston Dookeran. Ramadhar stated, “You cannot have leadership without integrity, you cannot have leadership without honesty, leadership without fairness, leadership without love.”
In his conclusion, Ramadhar called upon supporters to revitalize the COP and restore its influence within national governance. Although he did not address the media directly after the meeting, he assured that responses to inquiries would be provided later in the week during a scheduled news conference. The meeting, held at 3:30 PM, witnessed substantial support, with attendees displaying placards denouncing crime levels in T&T, reflecting a broad spectrum of community engagement in the vital political discourse.
Prakash Ramadhar’s urgent address at the COP meeting highlighted the critical crossroads Trinidad and Tobago faces ahead of the General Election. He underscored the failures of the current government, particularly concerning crime and economic management, warning of potential dire outcomes if the status quo persists. Ramadhar’s call to action for COP supporters aimed to reignite the party’s role in national politics and advocate for values such as integrity and fairness in leadership.
Original Source: www.guardian.co.tt
