‘Central’ UNC tells Panday to back Dookeran

The UNC is currently led by both its political leader Winston Dookeran and Leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad-Bissessar who replaced Panday when he was convicted of breaching the Integrity in Public Life Act 1987.

The Chaguanas and Caroni East UNC constituencies each issued separate statements yesterday that hailed the lifelong work of Panday but also urged him to now give his blessing to Dookeran.

Strikingly, Caroni East UNC whose MP Ganga Singh is at odds with Panday, said they believed Panday would win his court case.

Caroni East UNC expressed its sadness at Panday’s resignation after 40 years of public service including serving as prime minister.

Panday is the last in a dynamic breed of politicians that comprised the late Michael Manley of Jamaica and Cheddi Jagan of Guyana, they said.

“Mr Panday’s role in the ‘trenches’ cannot be understated. He is indeed the father of the UNC”.

Caroni East UNC said Panday’s history of struggle is unparalleled and he had endured many sacrifices for the UNC.

“And his current legal battles are yet another manifestation of that struggle”.

Caroni East UNC hailed Panday for putting party before self, and said his resignation as UNC chairman is in keeping with his tradition of magnanimity.

“We are confident that he will emerge victorious from his current legal difficulties.”

The group backed Panday’s recent call for the UNC to unite to beat the PNM in the next general elections.

Caroni East UNC urged: “We hope Mr Panday will use his position as elder statesman in the party to ensure that Winston Dookeran is accorded the respect he deserves as Leader of the UNC and that he takes up his rightful place as Leader of the Opposition.”

Chaguanas UNC constituency executive expressed its regret at Panday’s resignation, but said he had done the right thing.

“He is putting the UNC above himself and he must be commended for this.”

They said he was a public figure who had given selflessly in his many years of struggle.

Chaguanas UNC said that despite Panday removing himself from the daily running of the party, he could still make a contribution, starting with supporting Winston Dookeran as the unchallenged leader of the UNC.

“Mr Panday can use his stature to convince his parliamentary colleagues to support Mr Dookeran as Opposition Leader”. This was the only way the party could heal, said the group. The Chaguanas UNC concluded: “Mr Panday’s legacy can be a united UNC capable of unseating the PNM or a fractured UNC consigned to perpetual opposition. The ball is in Mr Panday’s court.”