PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Former chairman of the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) Basdeo Panday has called on members to give him an additional three weeks to heal the rift within the party.
Political leader Winston Dookeran and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar are leading two factions within the party and have been engaged in public rows over the direction of the organisation that formed the Trinidad and Tobago government between 1995-2001.
Panday, who gave up the leadership of the party after being convicted and given a six-year jail term for failing to declare a London bank account to the Integrity Commission, said he had heard of rumours that Dookeran, a former Central Bank governor, had registered a new political entity called the New National Congress (NNC).
“If that was true, that would be the most blatant act of dishonesty to deceive the population,” he said.
Panday told the UNC National Congress to postpone the vote of no confidence in Dookeran, informing the gathering that his meeting with the political leader last week could have been best described as “disjointed”.
He said Dookeran wanted the leadership issue resolved and “he said he must be able to lead the party. I asked him who is stopping him I reminded him that I (gave him) the political leadership on a platter”.
But Panday said that Dookeran had told him that he (Panday) was still running the party from outside the executive.
“I said they (part executive members) do call me from time to time for advice. I did not know how to get rid of that type of influence. By committing suicide (but) I have no intention of doing so at this time.”
Panday said Dookeran promised to meet again on the weekend but called to cancel.
“I suspect that Winston (Dookeran) has been advised not to meet me before this Congress (because) they are hoping you pass a motion of no confidence and they will have reason to tell him don’t talk unity. Do not be led into this trap.” Panday said.
The motion has been deferred for three weeks and Panday added “If at that time you are convinced that unity is not the cards then do as you wish”.