The Independent Liberal Party (ILP) has lost another supporter. Former Balmain/Calcutta No 2 local government candidate Indarjit Seepersad announced his decision yesterday, saying he did not like the direction in which the party is heading. His resignation comes one day after the lone ILP councillor in the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC) Reneera Chan quit the party.
She said it went against her conscience to continue to support the ILP since its aim was solely to put the opposition PNM back into power in the 2015 general election. Seepersad, who spoke with reporters after the formal opening of the Calcutta Bridge B1/3 at Balmain, Couva, said the ILP is supporting the PNM and he is not going to be part of the party any more.
“When he (Jack Warner) bring Ramesh (Lawrence Maharaj) on board and Ancel Roget and David Abdulah and them I realise it was back to the PNM. Yes, the ILP is PNM because it is PNM back on board and this is why I made the change. I have not tendered my resignation, but I will be doing that as soon as tomorrow,” Seepersad said. He said he was not afraid of any backlash from Warner or ILP supporters in his area.
Seepersad, a former United National Congress (UNC) alderman in the Couva/Tabaquite/ Talparo regional corporation, was warmly embraced by Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh after the announcement. He later said he was pleased to welcome Seepersad back to the UNC fold.
“The UNC has always committed itself to being a party of inclusiveness, Mr Indarjit Seepersad was a former alderman in the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation and has a long track record with this party and has continued that and he has indicated to me that he wants to work with all efforts towards re-election of the People’s Partnership government in 2015 and in the constituency of Couva South.”
Chan, who represents the Kelly Village/Warrenville seat on the PNM-controlled TPRC, said in her resignation letter to Warner that she had struggled with her conscience for quite some time before making the decision to quit the ILP. Chan, 28, remains a councillor at the corporation. ILP deputy political leader Anna Deonarine resigned from the party some four months ago.