Panday uncertain for UNC polls

OPPOSITION LEADER Basdeo Panday yesterday revealed that he may not stand for re-election as United National Congress (UNC) political leader when the party holds its internal elections and Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj poses a clear and present danger to the UNC’s viability as a political party.

When asked by Newsday yesterday whether he would stand for re-election when the UNC holds internal polls later this year or in early 2004, Panday replied: “Maybe.” In a previous Newsday story, UNC officials hinted that Panday would stand for re-election as party leader. Since October 2002, Panday has repeatedly expressed his desire to retire from active politics at age 70, with his most recent statement following last month’s Local Government Elections in which the UNC lost heavily to the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM). Asked if there is a worthy successor among the current cadre of UNC parliamentarians, Panday said such an individual existed but declined to reveal their identity. Several NACTA polls have identified Winston Dookeran, Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Kelvin Ramnath as possible successors. Dookeran has publicly distanced himself from reports of him being Panday’s heir apparent.

The UNC leader identified Maharaj as one of the “predators”  likely to take over the party if he (Panday) left prematurely. He said this was one of the reasons why he could not abandon the UNC in mid-stream. Following last year’s General Elections defeat to the PNM, Panday first expressed his desire to resign but retracted it in early 2003, after reports surfaced about Maharaj speaking with top UNC members. Barataria/San Juan MP Dr Fuad Khan admitted to speaking with Maharaj about the UNC’s future after Panday. The former attorney general has repeatedly stated that he is trying to build a new political movement and has no plans to take over the UNC. Maharaj has said both the PNM and UNC have no meaningful vision for the future development of Trinidad and Tobago.