Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle is standing by remarks he made at a political meeting on Thursday night that sparked a social media backlash, insisting his comments were directed at the United National Congress (UNC) and not at any ethnic group.
Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the Red House in Port of Spain for Friday’s sitting of Parliament, Marcelle defended his address to supporters in his constituency and rejected claims circulating online that he had made anti-Indian remarks.
Earlier, in a statement posted on social media, Marcelle said anyone who listened to his speech would know that “at NO TIME did I ever say that ‘Indian people do not like us… we do not like them.'”
“Our political meeting was held in my constituency, Laventille West, last night. I spoke truthfully to my constituents,” he wrote.
Marcelle said he had told supporters that “this UNC Government, by their words and actions towards our communities, simply do not like us. And guess what? We do not like the UNC either. And I make no apologies for stating that fact.”
The Opposition MP accused the Government of targeting supporters of the People’s National Movement (PNM), alleging that it had cut funding to PNM-controlled corporations and dismissed or declined to renew the contracts of thousands of workers believed to be aligned with the party.
He also claimed Government ministers had blamed crime on PNM constituencies and referred to PNM supporters attending a recent vigil as “vagrants in white jerseys.”
“Does this sound like a Government that likes or loves people from PNM constituencies? Or does this sound like a Government that simply hates us?” Marcelle said.
The MP said he had pledged to his constituents that if elected to government, he would ensure Laventille West received its fair share of national resources and that his priority would be serving the constituency.
He accused the UNC of creating “fake news and narratives” about his speech and maintained that the PNM remained committed to representing all races and creeds in Trinidad and Tobago.
“I am proud to be part of Dr Eric Williams’ political party called the PNM, a party where we stand with and represent every single creed and race in Trinidad and Tobago,” Marcelle said.
He concluded his statement by urging supporters not to “fall for the UNC’s propaganda and lies” and vowed that the PNM would continue its efforts to remove what he described as a “wicked, evil and racist” government from office.
Marcelle’s original speech drew widespread attention on social media, with critics alleging that portions of his address were racially divisive. The MP has denied those interpretations, maintaining that his criticism was aimed solely at the UNC Government.
