Aftermath of Panday jailing

CHAOS and confusion broke out at the UNC rally after the Executive informed Political Leader Winston Dookeran that he would not be allowed to speak.

Former AG Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, a non-member was embraced by Executive members as he entered Rienzi Complex in Couva.

Dookeran was not even acknowledged. Maharaj who spoke at the Rally was given a centre stage seat, while Dookeran was not even allowed a place at the head table. Speakers at the event included Roodal Moonilal, Wade Mark, Jack Warner, Maharaj and Vasant Bharath. Also seated at the head table was Oma Panday, wife of UNC Chairman Basdeo Panday, who spent last night in jail.

It was Bharath who informed Dookeran of the decision to prevent him from addressing the large crowd. When Dookeran’s communication attache Nirad Tewarie learned of the decision he informed the media.The media then approached Dookeran who confirmed the information. A “shouting and screaming” match between Dookeran’s very upset supporters and members of another party faction ensued. “It almost came to blows,” an eyewitness reported. Dookeran left the Rally saying he did not wish to remain where he was not wanted. Many people left after this, apparently disgusted with the whole affair. A member lamented that it was a sad day — that the political leader had been booted out of a party rally. This after, he had been booed at a previous rally.

Maharaj in his address said: “Once you touch Panday, you touch Ramesh.” He vowed to do whatever it took to ensure that Panday comes out of jail.