The United National Congress has lost its original moorings and direction.
Those are the words of UNC Councillor Samuel Sankar, who has revealed that he is resigning from the party and will serve out the rest of the Local Government term as an independent councillor in Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC).
In a GML interview, Sankar, who has been a UNC member for the past seven years, during which time he served as a councillor, said he has been disconnected from the party since last August, when he was the sole UNC councillor attending a Local Government consultation.
Sankar told the media house the Opposition leader had mandated the day prior to that event that councillors boycott. However, the message was not relayed to he and he attended.
He subsequently received death threats and was deleted from UNC chat groups, including in the TPRC’s area.
Sankar said the UNC needs strong leadership, local government and constituency representatives.
He added, the level of its Parliamentary debate isn’t solid and is more ‘grand charge’ and bravado than real issues.
He said he doesn’t feel UNC’s leadership will pull T&T together or get national buy-in as the party’s lost its original moorings and direction.
“Some who’ve served in the rank and file also share these views with me. I don’t think UNC can win TPRC where PNM has 13 seats and UNC seven. There’s been poor candidate selection. The Maracas Santa Margarita seat is winnable for UNC if they have the right candidate, but…”