UNC’s Mayaro candidate, Rushton Paray, is challenging his predecessor Winston “Gypsy” Peters to bring evidence to prove he paid $5 million to contest the marginal Mayaro seat. In an interview, Paray said he understood Peters was hurting because he was blanked by the UNC’s screening committee.
“My children hurt sometimes but they eventually got over it. I still have respect for Mr Peters and I am hoping one day he will return to the UNC,” Paray said. Saying he wished he had $5 million, Paray reiterated that Peters’ claim was totally unfounded, adding his tirade and resignation had bolstered his campaign.
“He cannot undermine me. We have grown out of the system of mauvaise langue and people are intelligent so they can understand.
“There is nothing he can do to sabotage my campaign. I was a bit concerned when I heard him speaking that way but this is the politically charged environment and I want to tell Mr Peters best wishes,” Paray said. Asked whether he believed Peters’ rant was a case of “sour grapes” Paray added: “ I wouldn’t want to get into the primary school name-calling thing.
“I wouldn’t go down that road. He is hurt and when people hurt they lash out.” He also denied he was chosen on the basis of race. “I will represent people from all races. I am walking the walk with a love for my people and my party,” Paray said.
Meanwhile, Paray’s campaign manager and chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation Hazaree Ramdeen also denied Paray was selected because he was of East Indian origin. He added: “Some people see the world not as it is but as they are. When you are representing, you represent all the people, whether you are ILP, UNC, PNM, Indian, Negro, Chinese or white.
“Mayaro is not an Indian constituency so why would we select a candidate on the basis of race? When we walk the constituency we are welcomed by all. This is not an Indian thing.” He said Peters may have had a few supporters but the majority of people were supporting the UNC.
“I am 100 per cent sure we will keep the seat. People are gravitating to the party,” Ramdeen added.
‘UNC not racial party’
Meanwhile, the UNC’s election campaign manager and strategist for the UNC, Rodney Charles also said Peters’ claims could not hurt the party.
“His statements cannot damage the UNC. Whatever we do is subject to polling data and the polling data shows that Paray will bring home the seat by a significant number of votes. He also challenged Peters to prove his allegations.
“It is absolute unfounded nonsense and the PNM thrives on it,” Charles said.
Responding to the $5 million bribe allegation, Charles added: “That never happened. This is utter nonsense. I want to make it clear no $5 million was spent by anyone and we challenge them to bring the facts or shut up.”