UNC declares war against Baboolal

THE OPPOSITION UNC declared that it would be waging war against Senate President Dr Linda Baboolal until she ceases to be “the key protector” for the Government in the Parliament. Speaking at an impromptu news conference after Baboolal suspended UNC Senator Robin Montano from yesterday’s Senate sitting and the Opposition subsequently walking out of the sitting, Senate Opposition Leader Wade Mark declared: “We (UNC) are an army. We never leave our wounded soldiers behind. 

We will fight this lady (Baboolal) and the whole Government. We will expose them.” Mark said “in a real democratic framework,” Baboolal should have consulted with him, Leader of Government Business Dr Lenny Saith and Leader of the Independent Senators, Dr Eastlyn McKenzie, before taking action against Montano. However he claimed that Baboolal acted on the advice of Montano’s brother, Legal Affairs Minister Danny Montano, and Attorney-General John Jeremie. Mark said he was certain that while the UNC was speaking with the media, the Government would be making a mockery of the Senate by suspending Private Members’ Day and pressing ahead with Government business.

Recalling that the UNC previously intended to bring a no-confidence motion against Baboolal in April 2003, Mark said the Opposition had held its hand in the hopes that Baboolal would have changed. He lamented that such was not the case and the UNC will seek permission from its parliamentary caucus (which meets today at 5 pm at Rienzi Complex, Couva) to file the no-confidence motion against Baboolal. UNC Senator Sadiq Baksh claimed yesterday’s actions proved that the PNM, the Government and the country were in shambles. Opposition Senators Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and Jennifer Jones-Kernahan called for Baboolal’s resignation and claimed her actions represented an “erosion of democracy” within the Parliament. The Opposition also warned that Government would soon turn against the media.