Twenty-four-year-old farmer Avanish Singh is the People’s National Movement prospective candidate for the Chaguanas West by-election. The Chaguanas West seat became vacant on May 10, after Jack Warner resigned as MP. This means the by-election had to take place before August 8. Warner also resigned as Minister of National Security and as UNC chairman on April 21. Yesterday afternoon at Balisier House, Singh and Krishna Ramkissoon were screened to be the prospective candidates. Singh, of Felicity, is the Youth and Policy Officer of the Section 34 Group. He is a University of the West Indies graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Agri-science and has a certificate of completion for participation in international work for the roll out of agricultural risk management on training material. His family boasts of the largest amount of farmers in the country and grow crops such as sweet potatoes and hot peppers.
Singh addressed PNM supporters and approximately 40 members of the Section 34 Group, saying he was proud to represent the PNM on July 29. “I put myself up for this honourable institution of the PNM with the fundamentals to core which I will honour on July 29. On the 30th we bring home the Chaguanas West constituency. I will bring to you youth...not youth only with a passion but with purpose. It is an honour to be the people’s prospective candidate for the PNM and start the change this country is dying for. Let it be known the next Prime Minister is the honourable Dr Keith Christopher Rowley,” he said. “For those of you who are on the fence, who are undecided open your eyes to the ails that you have been facing under the current regime. I am the individual about to change that as the candidate and all of us shall be benefitting from our resources. Not just one or two in a cabal,” he said. PNM's party chairman Franklin Khan said Singh was an experienced farmer and prominent businessman in Chaguanas.
PM on by-election
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in her address last night during the UNC Monday Night Forum in Felicity said the People’s Partnership had agreed to field only a UNC candidate for the seat. “Our party is yet to decide on who will represent you in this election. There are many who are seeking the nomination including your former MP. And as I have said before we will follow the party rules and its constitution to select your candidate,” Persad-Bissessar said. She said those wishing to contest this by-election should file their nominations in accordance with the UNC Constitution at the Rienzi Complex on or before Friday 21st June 2013 no later than 4 pm. She also said screening will take place during the week of June 24, 2013.