Former leader of The United Force (TUF), Manzoor Nadir, is now on the list of candidates for the PPP/C, and says he is no longer part of TUF.
“I cannot though campaign against a party that I sincerely believe has done well in its tenure. It would not be the honorable thing to do, so I separated my personal beliefs from the party and choose the PPP/C because of personal reasons,” he told Stabroek News yesterday.
Nadir has come in for sharp criticism internally and externally and has been called an opportunist, who could not adequately represent and reflect the views of TUF while sitting in the cabinet of the PPP/Civic-led administration and moreover being a government minister.
Nadir previously held the portfolio of Trade, Tourism and Commerce and he is currently the Minister of Labour.
He brushed off suggestions that he is a “soup drinker,” saying that only a few would say so.
Sneers and comments directed towards him only fuel him to endeavour to do better, since he knows it is only a few persons and not the majority of the populace that thinks this way.
“Every critic of the Government will say to me “soup drinker” however I am not bothered by the few minorities. Instead, I am motivated by the vocal majority who want to see politicians work together for the good of this nation,” he said.
He said also that he had promised his family that he would end his 20- year stint in politics, but the recent leadership tussle that involved Valerie Garrido-Lowe caused him to change his mind. “l [had] new fire in my soul and I realized I had to stay on,” he said.
He said that he was interested in every political party once it is for the betterment of Guyanese.
Nadir credited himself with resurrecting TUF, which was regarded then as dead, to a party where democracy reigned.
“I don’t see Manzoor as being larger than anyone or any organization. Organizations are larger than people I have seen people come and go and organizations live on,” he added.
“However I realized that to get votes you have to reach the people and work extremely hard to gain their trust, with them knowing that you will represent them well,” he said.
He added that as with any organization or relationship formed for that long a time it would be difficult to just leave without any emotional attachment; it was no different with him and TUF. “Piece of them will always remain me,” he noted.
Asked if he thought that the current TUF stood a chance of gaining a seat in parliament he said, “TUF has been around for a long time. They have many supporters with hard work anything is possible.”
