Dookeran to launch his own inquiry into UNC elections

Dookeran said that if he did not stand for integrity in party affairs, then he had no place being a political leader.

Dookeran also dropped a hint on how he intends to stave off his current political embarrassment of being the Opposition party’s political leader, with another person as Opposition Leader. Dookeran’s announcement of his intention to act and clear the air on questions of irregularities on the recount which snatched vice chairmanship from St Joseph MP Gerald Yetming, sideswept Wednesday’s Rienzi Complex "healing" of the "slates" meeting called by chairman Basdeo Panday.

Dookeran, after a Friday evening walkabout in Macaulay Junction, Claxton Bay, spoke at a cottage meeting in the constituency (Pointe-a-Pierre). Dealing with integrity in public affairs as the bedrock of the "new" Dookeran he told a crowd of 100 persons that the matter of the election recount was not over. "There are those who argue that the matter is settled, but it is far from over. The electoral process must be above board," Dookeran said.

Dookeran, lifting his voice, said, "I will stand up for integrity, even if I have to exercise my own prerogative as political leader and appoint my own independent inquiry. I will do it." Also speaking at the meeting were deputy political leader Jack Warner, Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran and senator Sadiq Baksh.

The new UNC political leader was loudly applauded, when, in answering a question put to him by a supporter, he said that it was only when authority resides in the political leader, would he be able to function. Without clarifying what he meant, Dookeran said: "If you want to do shadow boxing all your life, I don’t want to shadow box. I am in the real boxing arena...and when the time comes, we would have to deal with that...so let them shadow box." Assuming he attains the Opposition Leader post, Dookeran told the meeting that Panday would not simply become history. He hinted, "We will have to find an appropriate place for Mr Panday. That will be sorted out in due course." Baksh announced that Dookeran intends to visit all 36 constituencies.