Member of Parliament Elect for Oropouche East, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, has thrown his support behind Kamla Persad-Bissessar as leader of the United National Congress, ending speculation that he was conspiring to take the title.

Recent claims suggested Dr. Moonilal gathered a cohort of disgruntled party members who were angered by the UNC suffering another loss under Persad-Bissessar, penning a letter to the President to have him sworn in as Opposition Leader, effectively forcing the current leader out.

Tuesday’s statement  by the MP-elect made no mention of the claim, but served as a show in solidarity with Persad-Bissessar, who mere hours earlier conceded defeat in the general election, vowing to remain as the leader of the UNC.

See the full statement issued bu Dr. Moonilal below:

“Our party, the UNC, has a democratic and internal process which determines the office-holders within the party.

While I appreciate that emotions are running high and passion also mirrors deep concern, I support those processes and do not agree at all with, or support in any way, those persons from within the party or outside who seek to short-cut and sabotage the process and purpose of our internal elections which are due next year.

I am very sorry to see that some people I consider stalwarts of the party, and who have held high national office because of the party, are calling for changes that would essentially short circuit the democracy to which we are committed at both a party and a national level.

I deeply regret attempts to divide the party when we need to be more united than ever. We have an immense responsibility on our collective hands. Now is the time to stand firm and stand united.”