Presidential candidate for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Aubrey Norton believes the support Azruddin Mohamed’s party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), received on Nomination Day will not put a dent in APNU’s votes. Norton said citizens only showed their support because they wanted the money.
At a press conference on Friday, Norton first clarified that Nomination Day support does not equate to votes at the polls on September 1. He said, “I don’t know they had any voting on nomination day, and from the evidence that is available, a lot of people there, went there for the money.”
He highlighted that at the last Local Government Election, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) felt they had support in Linden and Georgetown. “And then what happened is that the people collected their money, and then they voted APNU, we think the same will happen,” he added.
Norton underscored that while he is not aware of any rally held by WIN as yet, he remains unbothered about Mohamed’s party.
Moreover, APNU’s Vice Presidential Candidate Ganesh Mahipaul said that the party has assessed WIN’s list of candidates, and what they observed is that about 72% of the persons on the list are from constituencies normally won by the PPP. He added, “So we are not worried about him.”
However, Mahipaul urged voters to take a cautious approach with new political parties. He explained that historically, when new parties are formed they fool electorate by demonstrating independence and care, but after gaining popularity the join the PPP.
“Records will show that virtually every one of them have, in their aftermath of securing votes from people under the disguise of being independent, end up being in bed with the People’s Progressive Party,” Mahipaul said.
He mentioned Manzoor Nadir, Dr Asha Kissoon and Lennox Shuman who had formed their own parties but later joined PPP. To this end, he noted that he does not believe Mohamed will be any different.
“Mohamed and Irfaan Ali were best Friends. They shared a good relationship,” Mahipaul highlighted. To this end, he urged citizens to be vote wisely.
