Dookeran vows to fear no one

He made the statement at the launch of the UNC Progressive slate of candidates for the party’s internal elections at the Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive School, Helen Street, Chaguanas yesterday.

Dookeran, who was nominated unopposed as political leader for the October 2 elections, was greeted with thunderous applause by the large crowd of supporters on entering the auditorium.

He said while there were two opposing slates for a number of executive positions in the party, including the three positions of deputy political leader, there "shall be no losers in this elections."

"You must campaign vigorously but not viciously," he said, adding the real enemy was the Manning-led Administration which he said was governing the country without knowledge.

"Our country’s leadership is crying out itself for leadership and that is what we must provide. It is time for fresh thinking in the Government and that is what we must provide," he said.

He also assured activists that he would "fear no one in the discharge of my duties as political leader of the United National Congress."

The meeting, was chaired by St Joseph MP Gerald Yetming, who described the Progressive slate as the "best team" to provide continuity in the "post-Panday period" and which would also lead the party to victory in the upcoming General Elections.

Yetming, who is contesting the post of deputy chairman, also dispelled fears that the slate would "hand over" the party to the NAR or the PNM saying they were committed to "broadening, growing and developing the party" for a return to government.

Meanwhile, Oropouche MP, Dr Roodal Moonilal, who is contesting one of the three deputy political leader positions, said the Progressive slate’s symbol was a "wheel" and described the internal elections as "open and competitive" which was on par with the American Republican and Democratic parties.