Dookeran you must neutralise Panday

He gave you the position of political leader of the UNC so that he could do what he is doing now. He wants to embarrass and discredit you. He intends to frustrate you so much, that you will resign and he can return as Political Leader of the UNC. You were the biggest threat to his power. He aims to neutralise you.

In certain African tribes one had to slay a lion to prove one’s manhood. Politics is similar. You have to prove yourself to be worthy. You have to fight for your position. Mr Dookeran, this is your trial by fire. For you to prove your leadership, you have to remove Panday as Opposition Leader.

To do this you need the support of nine of the 16 UNC MPs you can count on yourself and fellow Progressives Yetming, Moonilal and Ramsaran. I believe you can also count on the support of Ganga Singh who supported your state in the recent election. I also believe that it would not be difficult to enlist the support of "independent UNC" MPs Fuad Khan and Gillian Lucky. This gives you seven MPs. The crux then will depend on Nizam Baksh and Harry Partap, both of whom were quiet in the election. I do not know if they support Panday or if you can convince them to support you. But, Mr Dookeran these are the nine MPs you must convince to support you, for the remaining six are all firmly in Panday’s side.

If these nine support you for the post of Opposition Leader the President will have no choice but to appoint you as Opposition Leader. You may be wondering if this action will damage your reputation. If it will lead to a war in the UNC. Mr Dookeran, the existing situation is already damaging your reputation. Panday’s Patriots have already thrown down the challenge. They have no intention of allowing you to lead the UNC. Politics favours the strong and decisive, Mr Dookeran. If you wish to eventually become Prime Minister, you will first have to prove you have the will to become Leader of the Opposition.

VISHNU PERSAD

San Fernando