In a country where there is a lack of a Constituency Development Fund or a budget financing for an opposition party to fund proposed programmes, North Leeward election candidate Dr Kishore Shallow has described as an act of desperation, the governing Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) criticism that his opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) is doing nothing for the people.
Central Kingstown Member of Parliament and NDP vice president Major St Clair Leacock has for years been championing the cause for a Constituency Development Fund which has found strong support inside and outside the parliament, but the proposed programme has not been allowed to advance to fruition.
“I want to rubbish the desperate attempt to say that this government, that this opposition has not been doing anything for you,” Shallow told a political rally held at Sion Hill last Saturday night to reopen the NDP’s East Kingstown election camapign office.
“Rubbish, absolutely rubbish. And we know, as I said, it is out of desperation. But hear what, you know as the old people say, mouth open, story jump out. And so, over the last few weeks, we have been hearing their own representatives, their own candidates coming out and saying, confessing that some constituencies need better representation.”
Shallow said his party has been on the ground and they have been meeting and engaging the people, getting a greater understanding of their needs so that the party could serve them better. He said that despite the limited resources, being in opposition, the people have been able to count on the NDP.
“And you have been counting on us and we have been delivering for you. In fact, one of them (a calypsonian that supports the ULP) even sang a song about it saying that they need better representation.
“Of course they need better representation all across the Grenadines and next election we are going to change that and show you better representation. But the reality is … if we are in opposition, with such limited resources, and trying our utmost to meet your needs, can you imagine what we will do when you elect us? Can you imagine what Dr. Friday and his hardworking and competent team will do to serve you? Just give us a chance. And I am very confident that in a few weeks, you are going to give us the chance,” Shallow told the rally.
Shallow commended East Kingstown Member of Parliament Fitzgerald Bramble for his efforts in his constituency.
“As I said the other night in ‘Town Hill,’ Fitz is a man from the people and for the people. I have seen this gentleman with very limited resources going around and helping the people in the constituency of East Kingstown,” Shallow praised Bramble.
Shallow noted that “the entire team” of the NDP “have been on the ground engaging the people.
