Candidate for the July 29 Chaguanas West by-election and acting chairman of the United National Congress Khadijah Ameen says she holds no “beef” with anyone although her character is being attacked in the run-up to the election. Ameen was responding to questions about a story published by a newspaper owned by opposing candidate in the election Jack Warner.
The story printed parts of an e-mail written by current Trade Minister Vasant Bharath, which alleged that Ameen was an alcoholic and also suffered from psychological issues. Yesterday, Ameen said she was aware of the e-mail, which had been sent since 2009. “At that time it was a political attack against me because the party was divided at the time and Minister Bharath was a part of the Panday (Basdeo Panday) faction, and I was very close to (Prime Minister) Kamla Persad-Bissessar.”
She said she was encouraged to take legal action at the time but chose not to do so. “I hold no beef for anyone. That is water under the bridge.” Ameen said she would not respond to any candidate in the election as her focus was on the people she would be serving. “I expect that there are people who would want to target me but my focus is on the people.”
Ameen defended statements that she was a stranger to the constituency of Chaguanas West and said the Tunapuna Piarco region bordered on Chaguanas West and parts of the constituency fell under her responsibility as chairman. “It is not just me. I am part of a team which includes Manohar Ramsaran and Pundit Satyanand Mahabir and they have been involved with residents of the area.”
Ameen said her corporation had been responsible for fixing a number of roads as well as recreation grounds in the area. “We upgraded the Caroni Recreation Ground, we constructed a pavillion in the La Paille Recreation Ground and fixed a number of streets.” “I am not new to Chaguanas West. I am familiar with the needs of the people.”