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Bad decision by Hinds - Shabazz

By Marsha Mokool

Former PNM Senator Muhammad Shabazz has criticised Laventille East/Morvant MP Fitzgerald Hinds for not accepting the post of junior Minister in the National Security Ministry.

"He should have taken it. It would have given him an opportunity to do a lot of work in his constituency, because our constituency needs a lot of work," Shabazz said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

"Even if he was not prepared to take it, he should have discussed it with one of the party forums such as the General Council," he added.

Shabazz also said Hinds is not "connected" with his constituents.

Shabazz, who lost his challenge against Hinds to be the PNM candidate in the October 7 election, believes a lack of communication exists between the former junior Minister in the Public Administration Ministry and some of his constituents.

"Hinds has two images. He has a nice national image, but his image in his constituency is not so good."

Hinds, who was not selected as a Minister in the new Patrick Manning administration, has received mixed support from his constituents over this.

Last week, some of his constituents protested outside Whitehall to express their displeasure in Hinds not being offered a full Ministerial post.

But Shabazz feels that many of his constituents are not satisfied with Hinds’ performance.

In his view, Hinds only has 50 per cent support in his constituency, and little of that support lies with the young people, he said.

"I definitely feel he should be doing more work in his constituency," he said.

Although he feels Hinds has good intentions, Shabazz said he needs more guidance in the political arena.

"In life he has to understand there is more than one view and his view is not the only view...If he learns that lesson properly, he has the potential to be a leader in the PNM," said Shabazz.

Asked whether he feels he could have accomplished more than Hinds if he was chosen as the PNM candidate and had won, Shabazz said: "It would have been different, but I can’t compare."

But despite everything, Shabazz said he is prepared to work hand in hand with the MP to make Laventille East/Morvant one of the top constituencies.

Hinds, who has since vowed to remain true to the PNM, was unavailable for comment.

Trinidad and Tobago News

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