PNM STALWART: WHY I ATTENDED UNC TALKS

HARRY Ragoonanan, a longstanding operative of the People’s National Movement, has explained why he attended the recent public crime discussions sponsored by the United National Congress.

Ragoonanan, who was expelled from the PNM five years ago, said he is not joining UNC.

“I went to the crime symposium because I am interested in solutions to the problem,” he said.

He said he was pleased with the contributions of contributors Dr. Valini Pundit and Donny Rogers.

“They offer good solutions,” he observed.

Pundit, a clinical psychologist, and Rogers, an agricultural entrepreneur, provided concrete anti-crime proposals, Ragoonanan stated.

He stressed that the country requires policies and programmes to counter the crime crisis.

Ragoonanan said he is considering hosting discussions on crime, along with his wife, Lucina Cardenas-Ragoonanan, a retired senior magistrate.

Asked about his political allegiances, he responded: “I will probably always be PNM but I cannot support the present leadership.”

He said there were many social and economic crises in the country, and the Government has not been effective in dealing with them.

He called for more youthful and vibrant national leadership.

Ragoonanan, who was a PNM strategist and financier for many years, was expelled from the party in 2019, two years after being linked to bid-rigging.

He denied the allegations, stating that he was not an agent of a company that had bid to provide a ferry for the sea bridge.

He took legal action for defamation against Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.