The Opposition People’s National Movement has gone back in search for a candidate for its last vacant constituency, Chaguanas East, after the latest nominee was not selected because he has dual citizenship with the United States.
The party’s screening committee met yesterday at Balisier House, Port-of-Spain, where Ken Dalchand appeared. The party has already selected 40 other candidates to contest this year’s 2015 general election.
Former television anchor Dianne Baldeo-Chadeesingh, an Opposition Senator, had been selected to contest the seat but withdrew citing personal reasons.
After the meeting Dalchand said he had to ask his family if he should revoke his United States citizenship.
Dalchand, an engineer, said: “There was a hiccup here and it was because of my dual citizenship. I am an American but I was born in Trinidad.”
When asked if he is thinking of revoking his citizenship, he said: “It is something I have to discuss with my wife and my family and so forth. I am pledging my support to the party. I am here still and Ken Dalchand is not going anywhere.”
He said he did a lot of work in Bamboo #3 and captured an Innovation Award of Industrial Design and construction.
“My loyalty is with this party and I am here to stay. I am disappointed. At the end... we are a team and let the best man win and I don’t want to steal anybody’s thunder but I believe I was the best candidate but there was a slight hiccup,” he said.
Out of the ten people screened for the constituency, Ken Dalchand proved promising said PNM’s general secretary Ashton Ford.
Ford said the executive was supportive and Dalchand fitted all the criteria for the position.
“The problem is he has dual citizenship and could not succeed as candidate in spite of all the criteria and he had the support of the screening committee but he has dual citizenship in America.”
Ford said the screening would continue next week.