Panday: UNC will shock PNM in polls

OPPOSITION leader Basdeo Panday has vowed to continue his struggle against the alleged “racist” policies of the ruling PNM by boycotting all events organised by Government.

He made the announcement at the launch of the UNC’s “Monday evening People’s Forum” at the Freeport Presbyterian School. Sporting a purple UNC shirt, with the “Rising Sun” logo emblazoned in bright yellow letters, Panday urged supporters to use the weapons of non-violence made famous by Mahatma Ghandi and Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr. “I personally intend to boycott every government function, or any function at which Manning and the PNM honchos are invited,” he said. Panday stated: “I have no intention of sitting down and applauding the Head of a Government that is the most vicious, racial and politically discriminate that I have ever seen.” Panday said change in Government could be achieved by “affirmative action” on the part of a people no longer “passive”.

Panday also promised to “shock” the PNM in the upcoming local government elections. He dismissed Prime Minster Patrick Manning’s prediction of an overwhelming PNM victory, saying the “soldiers of the UNC” would “demonstrate their mettle”. “Manning and the PNM have a shock coming for them, they will find out what the soldiers of the UNC are made of,” Panday said. He added that the promised “licks like peas” would not materialise. “I pass by the market on the way here, and peas scarce, so if he promise that kind of licks then ...” he said, adding that the onus was on the UNC to save the nation from “this corrupt and vindictive Government”. Panday did not elaborate on how the UNC would retain the seven regional corporations currently under its control. However, the Couva North MP said blame for the UNC’s general election defeat of 2002 must rest squarely on the shoulders of the Ramesh Maharaj-led breakaway faction of the UNC. He warned supporters to “be aware of betrayers” who would sell out birthright for a piece of the PNM pie.