The People's Partnership will use the Guardian Media Limited-commissioned Louis Bertrand poll to analyse and work harder, says Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal.
Commenting on the results of the poll, which were published yesterday and showed the People’s National Movement ahead in the sample of Tunapuna’s 26,000-plus electorate, Moonilal said:
“I don’t make statements on the credibility or veracity of polls but we take all polls seriously and this poll will be used to analyse and assist us to work harder.”
While the poll showed the PNM ahead in several categories, including how the parties would be able to deal with the issues of crime, corruption and unemployment, Moonilal said he was happy that in the category of acceptability as prime minister, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley was not too far ahead on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the constituency.
“We’re heartened that even with this poll there’s only a .7 per cent difference between the Prime Minister and Rowley regarding acceptability but we’ve been doing our work on the ground,” he added.
The poll showed 36 per cent of respondents felt that Rowley was a better candidate for Prime Minister, while 35 per cent favoured Persad-Bissessar. Some 300 respondents in the constituency were polled two weeks ago.
During a political meeting on Tuesday night, Rowley said the PNM would use the party’s May 24 Family Day to launch a “Get Out Kamla!” campaign targetting the PM and PP. (See Page A9)
Addressing that yesterday, Moonilal said: “He sounds like a political thug. He should calm down and try yoga.
“Few people outside of PNM would take it seriously. I don’t think he can destabilise T&T. He can’t even destabilise Diego Martin.”
On Rowley’s claims that he “didn’t feel safe” since the Prime Minister was “panicking” about her political opponent, Moonilal said:
“I can understand if he doesn’t feel safe at Balisier House after what happened with Chaguanas East’s walkout but he can always make a request for more security, since Gary Griffith (former National Security Minister) gave him Special Branch security.”
He also dismissed Rowley’s statement that PNM Oropouche candidate Terry Jadoonanan had told him “Moonilal was in trouble” in that seat.
“I wasn’t aware the PNM had a candidate in my seat. That would be a lamb to the slaughter and I enjoy lamb,” he said.
But while Moonilal seemed wary of the poll and its implications, Junior Works Minister Stacy Roopnarine yesterday said she was unfazed by it.
Speaking to reporters after distributing stationary to 405 Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) pupils from 11 schools across her Oropouche West constituency, Roopnarine admitted she did not get time to peruse the findings of the poll but said people should not worry.
“As you know, polls are subject to change and their results are based on the criteria used,” Roopnarine said.
However, Roopnarine said she believed that Persad-Bissessar was still the best candidate as prime minister.
“I believe that her works speak for itself as the People’s Partnership Government has done an unprecedented level of work in this country,” Roopnarine said during her stop at the Tulsa Trace Hindu School, Penal, adding at the end of the day people will also make a decision on the basis of delivery of projects.