UNC shock at ruling

“No comment. I will talk this evening (at a rally at Rienzi Complex),” said Warner. Asked whether he thought the sentence of two years hard labour and a $60,000 fine was harsh, Warner stated, “Let the public decide that”.

“Right now I feeling lifeless. It is a sad way for a man who has given his entire life to end his final days, very very sad way. This was no leniency in the magistrate’s faces. You could see that he came with that decision and no one could have caused him to change it,” Deputy Chaguanas Mayor Orlando Nagessar said.

The mouths of Bill Chaitan and Gary Griffith opened wide as they heard the news.

“He’ll only be 74 years when he comes out,” Chaitan said dispiritedly. Griffith inquired again, “You sure it is not a suspended sentence, You sure?” “Two years hard labour,” a voice confirmed. The corridor of the court was lined with people waiting to see and hear.

As the dejected UNC’s top brass emerged one by one, the comment was the same. “No comment. I have absolutely nothing to say,” said Warner. “The party has decided not to say anything until this afternoon, after the Executive has met,” Gopeesingh explained.

A grim-faced Mark told the anxious media that the party would be making a statement this afternoon at Rienzi.

Panday’s daughter Mikela came out, wearing a slight smile. “No comment,” she said when asked what was her reaction.

Panday’s other daughter Vashala, looked visibly upset and was hustled into a waiting SUV by Bharath, who held her protectively as she walked through the crowd.

Roodal Moonilal joined the chorus of “No comments” as he came out of the court.

A UNC supporter said, “Jesus Christ went through worse than that so that ain’t nothing.”