MP for North Leeward, Roland Patel Matthews and his challenger, Carlos James, on Saturday expressed concerns that political tensions in North Leeward could turn violent.
Their concerns were expressed in separate I-Witness News interviews about a bottle-throwing incident in Petit Bordel Friday night that saw James firing warning shots into the air to try to quell the situation.
Several persons are said to have received minor injuries as a result of the broken bottles.
Matthew said he took to hospital, Saturday morning, a pregnant woman who fell as she tried to flee the scene when the gunshots rang out. He told I-Witness News she complained of pains.
“We are at a stage now where I am asking supporters to remain calm in light of what happened,” James, a lawyer and first-time candidate for the ruling Unity Labour Party, told I-Witness News.
“I’m asking — I’m hoping that we can really have a peaceful election. I want mainly my supporters and supporters of the ULP to remain calm in light of the incident. All we have to do is show love. Our campaign is about love,” James said.
Meanwhile, Matthews, a member of the main opposition New Democratic Party, also appealed to supporters of both parties to avoid violence.
“I know that this election is going to be fought hard by both parties and I am asking supporters of both sides, especially the NDP supporters of whom I believe I have some level of control, to desist from violence,” Matthews told I-Witness News