Panday returns home today

Panday returns home today at 4.45 p.m.

Nominations for the various positions also begin tomorrow, but Panday is leaving the country on Friday to attend a conference in Fiji which ends on September 8. September 8 is also the deadline for nominations for all positions in the election. Panday therefore is expected to make his decision before he leaves the country on Friday.

If Panday does decide to bow out of politics, the two aspirants to the position of political leader are St Augustine MP, Winston Dookeran and Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Both MPs have said they would not fight Panday. Both mps, however, have been quietly meeting with supporters and building their support base in the event that Panday, who has indicated on many occasions a desire to retire, steps down.

UNC members reported yesterday with the possible imminent withdrawal of the political leader, Dookeran is rising to the demands of the office by being bolder. The MP who appears to have the backing of important stakeholders, is also getting speaking engagements from organisations that are important to UNC constituency, such as the National Council of Indian Culture.

Persad-Bissessar, however, remains a popular figure in the party and has been able to garner some support particularly at the grassroot level.

Yesterday was the deadline for the registration of new members, and according to sources there was some squabbling, with allegations being made by supporters of Winston Dookeran that attempts were being made by a certain party operative to deny them registration forms and to break the rules. The UNC elections will take place on October 2.