The National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) is back in the political landscape. Established in 1986, the NAR won the general election that year with 33 of the 36 seats. Its political leader Dr Carson Charles yesterday told scores of supporters at the St John Ambulance & Brigade Hall, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain that the party was here to rebuild. He said, “For all those who lack voice, the NAR is willing and anxious to help you find your voice, to help you find your voice so that you can be heard.”
Charles was a former works minister who served as leader from 1992 until 1993. At a national special conference yesterday, Charles said, “I want you to go out in the communities every day and every night and spread the word and say that the National Alliance for Reconstruction is back. We are back. “And we are back because we are needed and I dare anyone to show me otherwise.”
Charles said the NAR was not about trampling on anyone’s turf but will speak for all those who felt their voices were not being heard. He said the party will demonstrate to those in authority that there is still hope. “I am probably the last of the original NARites from the NAR government still standing because my colleagues as I have said, by and large, have retired.” He said it was his duty and privilege to lead the NAR at a time when a call can be made to the next generation to come forward and take charge of the party and the nation.
“You are here to rebuild this party, to re-mobilise it, to start again, to do now what we have not finished. “We have unfinished business,” he said. Charles is president of the National Infrastructure Development Company. He said he does not see any conflict with his portfolio at Nidco since the PP was fully aware he was head of that party when he was appointed. Even as Nidco’s president, he said, “I continued to do my job as political leader of the NAR.”
Charles said, “We are stepping up to do what we can and the PP should not have any difficulties with that.”