Fallout over exclusive NEWSDAY story — UNC MPs condemn Yetming

THE fallout over St Joseph MP Gerald Yetming’s damning assertion that the time had come for a new leader to take control of the Opposition UNC continued yesterday.

Several high-profile members of the party expressed shock and disappointment over Yetming’s statement and declared their unwavering support and allegiance to Basdeo Panday as leader of the UNC. In an exclusive story carried in yesterday’s edition of Newsday, Yetming reportedly said that the question of a new leader and a new leadership were critical to the rejuvenation of the UNC. Leading the charge against Yetming was Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma, who emphatically stated that the party’s leadership was “strong and moving forward.” “There was no need for that kind of call because we already have a leader who is intent on taking the party forward,” Sharma said. However, he added that the party had “internal systems” in place to air dissenting views and said the St Joseph MP had “acted prematurely” in his public call for a change in the party’s leadership. He also pointed out that with the party’s executive elections expected later in the year, dissenting members were free to contest “all positions within the party,” including the post of political leader. Sharma also drew reference to last week’s UNC press conference at Rienzi Complex where the political leader had stated his willingness to make room for a successor that “was chosen by the party’s membership.” In full agreement was Nariva MP Harry Partap, who said that there “is no vacuum in the party’s leadership.”

Partap, who was more vocal in his condemnation of Yetming’s statement, said that the party was in the act of rebuilding for the 2007 General Election campaign. “I am prepared to work with the leader and will continue to work with the leader,” Partap declared. He also took issue with Yetming’s statement that the party was not an “effective Opposition.” He blamed “media blackouts” in both Houses of Parliament for the perception, saying that Opposition MPs and Senators were rarely given “print or air time” on matters of national importance. And in arguing the Opposition’s effectiveness, Partap cited the Anti-Kidnapping Bill which Government was forced to amend mainly due to objections from members of the Opposition. Also lending his voice in defence of Panday was Tabaquite MP Adesh Nanan, who said that there was “no problem with Mr Panday’s leadership.” He reiterated Panday’s earlier statement that the Opposition leader would relinquish the party’s leadership position “when the time comes.” Naparima MP Nizam Baksh went one step further, pointing out that the party had “certain processes to be followed” in appointing a new leader. However, he pointed out that Panday still had the “charisma and leadership” skills to continue leading the party.

Meanwhile, the normally vocal UNC Senator, Sadiq Baksh, who last week boldly declared that the UNC’s leadership would last indefinitely, chose a terse, “I will not comment on Mr Yetming’s statement.” He however reiterated his previous position that the UNC leadership issue had not changed. Subhas Panday, MP for Princes Town said it seems that the newspaper (Newsday) was intent on “bringing down the party.”