Anna Regina Town Clerk denies blocking WIN from holding car park rally

Last Updated on Saturday, 9 August 2025, 0:12 by Writer

The Town Clerk of the Anna Regina Town Council, Radika Lall on Friday denied blocking the Azruddin Mohamed-led We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party from holding its election campaign rally on August 10.

“It’s not that anybody has blocked them from having a meeting. All political parties are supposed to be allowed to have a meeting. We are not doing that,” she told Demerara Waves Online News.

Mr Mohamed on Friday told Demerara Waves Online News that “I am being blocked to hold my big rally in Region Two” and that he had been reliably informed that “no activity is planned” for August 10.

However, Ms Lall said that she informed a WIN representative that a car and bike show was long-planned for that date and the organiser, Junior Pitt, of that event would need sufficient time to prepare the Anna Regina car park. “It’s not fair to the people that I have a meeting during the day and deprive them, and these people had applied a very long time,” she said.

Alternatively, she said the WIN representative requested use of the Bush Lot tarmac but was informed that that area was occupied by vendors and containers. The WIN had expressed an interest in using a play park in the Anna Regina Scheme, but the Town Clerk referred the representative to the management committee that handles that location.

In a letter dated August 6, 2025, Town Clerk Lall informed WIN’s Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) candidate Beverley Anna Cornelius that the Anna Regina Car Park “will not be available” on August 10.

Asked what would be his alternative plan, Mr Mohamed said “I will have to continue my community visit.”

Similarly, the Chairman of the Charity-Urasara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chandrawattie Coomal informed Ms Cornelius that neither the Charity or New Road Community Centre Ground would be available for a WIN public meeting on August 10, 2025 due to their poor condition as a result of bad weather. “This decision is based primarily on the prevailing and continuous inclement weather which has left both grounds waterlogged and unsuitable for hosting any public gathering or event,” she said.

The NDC Chairman feared that the extremely soft and saturated ground surfaces may lead to further damage of the grounds, erosion and costly restoration. She also said there was insufficient time to rehabilitate or prepare the grounds before August 10.

She sought to assure the WIN that there was no political discrimination in turning down the request for use of either ground. “We understand the importance of fairness, inclusivity and equal access to public facilities regardless of political affiliation and we regret any inconvenience this may cause to your plans,” she said.

Region Two is regarded as a solid stronghold for the incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC).

Mr Mohamed believes that he and his party were being unfairly targeted by the government ever since he opted to enter politics.