The United National Congress (UNC) is claiming political victimisation from the Point Fortin Borough Corporation, saying it has prevented their candidate from using two public spaces for meetings.
Attorney Alvin Pariagsingh, acting on behalf of the UNC Point Fortin candidate Ravi Ratiram, is now threatening legal action, saying that one of the venues, Market Square, was made available to the People’s National Movement (PNM) for its public meeting on Wednesday night but his client is being denied usage of the space.
But Point Fortin Mayor Clyde Paul yesterday denied the PNM-led corporation has blocked the UNC from holding its meeting at the venue. He said an Independence Day steelband concert was already scheduled for Market Square on Saturday and the UNC was offered the nearby Victor Chin Kit Park as an alternative.
“So what is the problem? I give them the band stand. They trying to make confusion but I not going into the confusion,” Paul told the T&T Guardian in a telephone interview.
“I could go on the platform and say the Minister of Local Government refuse to approve money to do work on Mahaica Oval (which could have been an alternative venue), but I not going there. I don’t have time for that.”
In a letter addressed to corporation’s CEO yesterday, Pariagsingh made reference to a telephone conversation with their campaign constituency director Marilyn Ramnarinesingh.
Pariagsingh said he found it unfortunate that the corporation did not give their decision in writing or give reasons for denying their application.
“We consider that your corporation’s actions’ taken at its lowest, amounts to inequality of treatment, as you would know the PNM used Market Square on Wednesday August 26 to host a political meeting with your permission.”
In the circumstances, the attorney called on the CEO to immediately say on what basis permission was refused and in failure to comply could result in legal action.
But Paul said no letter was sent to the corporation requesting use of the venue.
“I have not received a letter yet from the UNC telling me they want Market Square. They want to do thing by phone to call the workers in the borough to subvert the authority of the council and I am not going to stand for that,” he said, adding the workers they spoke to were not aware the square was already assigned for a steelband concert.
Saying the borough has jurisdiction for Market Square, Paul said the PNM got use of the venue because they put proper arrangements in place.
“The PNM stated their case. I have not received a letter from the UNC to date.”
With reference to the use of the Techier netball court, Paul said he had no problem with the UNC going there.
“If they want to go in the Techier netball court and block the Techier Main Road and the residents start to get on, then don’t blame me.”