Mark: NACTA plot to destabilise UNC

MONDAY’S NACTA exit poll which said Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is “the biggest asset” to the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) remaining in government, is a plot to destabilise the Opposition United National Congress (UNC). This was the view expressed yesterday by UNC chairman Wade Mark who said the party would “never take advice from its enemies.”

The UNC chairman told Newsday that after reading the poll, it was clear “NACTA has its work to do and the UNC has its work to do”. Mark said it appeared there was a plot being hatched by forces opposed to the UNC to create dissension and chaos in its ranks. He declared that notwithstanding this plot, the UNC would not fold or allow the PNM to run riot in Trinidad and Tobago. Recalling that the party will hold internal elections either later this year or early 2004, Mark said the UNC’s membership will determine the composition of its leadership “at the appropriate time”. He added that unless certain changes are made to the party’s constitution prior to those elections, all financial members will be able to contest all 23 executive posts in the UNC (including political leader). Panday himself has not publicly commented on the poll but party sources say given the UNC leader’s low opinion of NACTA polls, he will condemn it outright and remain at the UNC’s helm until he decides to leave. While several NACTA polls have touted Opposition MPs Winston Dookeran, Kelvin Ramnath and Kamla Persad-Bissessar as possible successors, UNC sources express doubt whether anyone will challenge Panday for the leadership.