Panday accuses Indians of ‘selling out’

ON the occasion of Indian Arrival Day yesterday, Oppo-sition Leader Basdeo Panday declared that there were many East Indians in the past who betrayed their “own” for political office. Among them, he named, were, Lionel Frank Seukeran, father of Junior Industry and Commerce Minister Dianne Seukeran, as well as Ashford Sinanan — uncle of House Speaker Barry Sinanan. History was repeating itself today in the politcs of the country, Panday said, in that Indians were “selling out”. He told the large crowd: “Don’t be surprised there were a few selling out for a little senatorship and ambassador position.” Panday said the time had come now to end such betrayal. People must  fight against racism and discrimination in the society,  Panday announced as he addressed the Indian Arrival Day heritage festival sponsored by the Maha Sabha. He then declared that people should fight — according to the Mahabharat, a reference to the mythical war epic of ancient India.

“The Mahabharat taught you how to fight,” Panday told thousands of people gathered at Debe Village in Penal. Panday accused the ruling People’s National Movement of practising racism and discrimination in the distribution of State resources  never before experienced by the East Indian community. The Opposition Leader said because of the “few” who were “selling out” to the PNM, “you all have been left alone”. But Panday said that people must not be despair, because they have the blood of “Bharat” running in their veins and that they now comprise half the population of Trinidad and Tobago. Panday said: “You are indomitable. You are many and they are few. You are half the population of 1.3 million people.”