The cries of the former Caroni workers were heard in different areas of the constituency when TnT Mirror visited last Thursday.

While Judy Sooklal of Wyaby Road, Carapichaima has not seen Panday in the constituency since the last election she does not have a problem.

“I understand the situation.

“He is an old man now; he had heart surgery and needs time to rest.

“He struggled a lot for the poor people in years gone by,” Sooklal told Mirror.

Other constituents, some of whom have gone to the PNM, were of the same view with regards Panday’s presence in Couva North.

Wyaby Road residents said taxis don’t come in the village after six because of the bad condition of the road.

They told Mirror that when it rains they suffer flooding and see an increase of the Caiman population.

The constituents felt that the local representatives were the ones to work on the field to support Panday.

They, however, claimed that PNM honourary MP Romando Rampersad was the one who was more active.

“He actually comes out and attends to our problems.

“He deserves a chance,” Sookdeo Ragoonanan said.

Ragoonanan said Panday did a lot for them in Brickfield but quickly admitted that Rampersad also did things to enhance the area.

Moses of Waterloo said Panday should step down because of his age and health.

Moses admitted that Panday’s jailing was a touching moment for him.

He said tears came to his eyes when Mikela read Panday’s speech.

“Panday did a lot for us but he should have done much more when he was in power.

“Rampersad, on the other hand, deserves a chance.

“He is always with us,” Moses explained.

Sooklal, 50, remembers the hard work of Panday from the tender age of 11.

She is the sister of UNC loyalist and All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union (ATS&GWTU) representative, John Jaglal.

Sooklal said her mother, Ivy and father, James Kooman were sugar workers and they attended every meeting and march that Panday led.

Sooklal told Mirror: “Panday fought for the sugar workers then but since Caroni closed, many are frustrated.

“Caroni workers feel Panday should have stood up for them.

“They feel Panday did not do enough for them while he was in government to give them a better standard of living.”

She related the story of Teelokie Roodal, a former Caroni employee who could not face the frustrations of life after Caroni.

He was found hanging from a tree behind his house.

But Sooklal does not think the Chief Magistrate should have been so harsh on Panday.

The central woman noted: “Panday did a good job while he was prime minister.

“He should not have been sent to jail. What about the other persons who did not file their integrity forms?”

Moses told Mirror that he feels he should have been given an opportunity, as a small man, to speak with Panday while he was in government.

“Even now I would like Panday to come and consult with us and get our views before he makes decisions.

“We don’t want to hear from Mikela; we want to hear Panday,” Moses said.

In Korea Village, Nerawal Rajkumar said he thinks Panday should go and give a younger person in the party a chance. Rajkumar, a former Caroni worker, said Panday did not do enough for Caroni workers.

“I am working in the reforestation programme now for $75 a day. I can barely survive and I am struggling on that salary, but I still thank God for the job.”

But Deonarine Balroop said Panday should stay on as UNC Chairman.

Balroop said Panday was the only one to fight Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

He felt sad and hurt over Panday’s jailing.

“I am a Panday supporter and I continue to support him in thick and thin,” Balroop told Mirror.