TABAQUITE MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne is unfazed about the possibility of not being picked to contest her seat in this year's general election.
She made this comment before screening at UNC headquarters in Chaguanas on February 19.
Haynes-Alleyne said she remains committed to the principles of the UNC and was confident of being judged on her competence and track record in the party.
Asked if she may contest the election with another party if not selected, Haynes-Alleyne said , "In life, anything is possible."
She disagreed with claims from UNC Tabaquite constituency executive chairman Sharon Badal-Ayew the majority of the executive supported attorney Sean Sobers who was also screened for Tabaquite.
Haynes-Alleyne is one of five UNC MPs who have publicly questioned party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar to lead the UNC to victory in the election.
They are Dr Rai Ragbir, Dinesh Rambally, Rushton Paray and Rodney Charles.
Charles is not standing for re-election as Naparima MP.
Ragbir, the incumbent Cumuto/Manzanilla MP, did not participate in screening for the constituency on February 14.
In a statement on February 13, Ragbir said he will not participate in the screening process because he cannot align himself with "a party that has abandoned its principles, rewards, mediocrity, shields those accused of wrongdoing, and punishes integrity."
Persad-Bissessar was dismissive of Ragbir's decision not to undergo screening.
"No one cares."
On February 19, she remained confident the UNC would retain Cumuto/Manzanilla without Ragbir because it is a safe seat.
Sobers, who unsuccessfully contested San Fernando West in 2020, was confident of being chosen as the UNC's Tabaquite candidate.
He welcomed a decision to reopen the Brasso Police Station after a recent murder there.
Sobers said the station should not have been closed in the first place.
To date, the UNC has selected eight candidates.
The UNC held its first screening of nominees in Chaguanas on November 29.
Saddam Hosein, Vandana Mohit and Michael Dowlath were chosen as candidates for Barataria/San Juan, Chaguanas East and San Fernando West respectively.
Hosein and Mohit are the incumbent MPs for their respective constituencies.
A second screening took place in Chaguanas on December 12.
[caption id="attachment_1139824" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar (centre) with Ernesto Kesar (left) and Clyde Elder (right) at the UNC headquarters in Chaguanas. Kesar and Elder were selected by the Oilfield Workers Trade Union and were screened by the UNC for the Point Fortin and La Brea constituencies respectively on February 19.[/caption]
On December 22, the UNC announced the selection of John Michael Alibocas (San Fernando East); Dr Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj (Arouca/Lopinot); Richard Smith (Trincity/Maloney) and Devesh Maharaj (Aranjuez/St Joseph).
Former opposition senator Wayne Sturge is the UNC's Toco/Sangre Grande candidate.
Roget defends alliance with UNC
Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) preside
