NATIONAL Transformation Alliance (NTA) political leader Gary Griffith says he is not concerned by Opposition Senator Anil Roberts offering himself to be selected as the UNC's candidate for the key marginal constituency of St Joseph.
Roberts submitted a nomination package for the constituency at UNC headquarters in Chaguanas on April 11.
Recently, the NTA chose Griffith to be its St Joseph candidate.
Griffith was also unfazed by Roberts sidestepping questions from the media about whether the UNC and NTA still have an alliance to contest next year's general election.
In a WhatsApp response to comments Roberts made after he submitted his nomination package, Griffith said, "That is UNC's business. I would be very out of place to be making any comment pertaining to the UNC selecting possibly 41 candidates (for the general election). That is their right. They are a political party, same as us."
Griffith has publicly said the NTA is seeking candidates for all 41 constituencies.
"That was the intention with the local government election (last August) until there was some degree of communication, dialogue and alliance (between UNC and NTA) that ensured 60,000 more votes than the PNM."
Griffith said until the NTA and UNC decide whether or not to form an alliance, they each must do what they must to separately prepare for the election.
"Very soon, the NTA will be setting up our main office in St Joseph. We will be there."
Referring to last year's local government election campaign, Griffith said the facts showed no politician was on the ground more than he was.
"I walked for several hours a day, every single day for two months. Not just with the NTA candidates, but with UNC candidates in San Fernando and Sangre Grande."
Griffith said those actions were key in bringing out third-party, floating voters who do not support the PNM or the UNC to vote for UNC local government candidates.
"So when it comes to high visibility, walking the walk and making yourself accessible and visible that would be myself."
Griffith promised to start his ground campaign for the election although it is a year away.
He said no political party selects its general election candidates a year before that election.
"Anyone who is announced by any political party as a candidate (a year before the election), that really and truly is a constituency caretaker until nomination day."
When a general election date is announced, a nomination day is also announced. The latter is the final day for all candidates wishing to contest the election to file the required documents.
Griffith said, "Lots of things can take place between now and nomination day."
He added that only when the Prime Minister officially announces the election date do parties formally select their candidates.
Roberts: Licks for PNM in St Joseph
Roberts predicted that whoever the PNM selects to challenge him in St Joseph will get "a finger-licking good cut-tail from the UNC team."
Asked if the UNC would not field a candidate in St Joseph and allow Griffith
