Panday to fight next Elections

MONTHS of speculation over Opposition UNC Leader Basdeo Panday’s status within the party, was put to rest yesterday at UNC headquarters in Rienzi Complex, Couva, when he told a General Congress of the party he was staying on as leader and was prepared to fight the next General Elections. “I have heard your concerns, I have seen your resolution asking me to stay on and I  accede to your requests,” Panday declared. He however outlined one condition for him staying on as leader — that every UNC member do all that was possible to improve the political party and ensure it was returned to the corridors of power at the next General Elections.

He also called on supporters to end fighting within the party and not to “take the party’s business” to the streets or the media. Following the PNM’s victory at the last General Elections in 2002, a crestfallen Panday hinted at his retirement from active politics, after a 38-year career which saw him move from the Opposition benches to the seat of power in 1995. A 17-17 tie was broken when then NAR leader, Arthur NR Robinson, shifted his support and the two Tobago NAR seats behind the UNC, which threw the PNM into Opposition. A motion calling for Panday to remain as leader was moved at yesterday’s United National Congress meeting in the name of Jamal Mohammed, which was seconded by UNC Senator Wade Mark. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the House and Panday subsequently agreed to stay on, since the motion, “fully endorsed his leadership as political head of the UNC.”

Part of the motion stated since the PNM “grabbed power two years ago,”  the Government failed to maintain law and order and brought the country into a state of siege as manifested by record levels of murders and mayhem, kidnappings, robberies and violence in schools. The motion further stated inter-alia, that the national, regional and international communities continued to lose confidence in the PNM’s regime, because of its open and unapologetic association with terrorists and criminal elements in the society. The resolution also stated clearly and precisely that there is need at this time for strong dynamic, resolute and fearless leadership and only someone with the mettle of Panday could effectively  register victory against the PNM.

It also pointed out that there could be no progress until the people were united and further called for constitutional re-form as a means of creating the opportunity for all sectors of the population to be represented in Parliament and join forces in the process of nation building. On the issue of constitutional reform, Panday told the gathering that tomorrow’s planned meeting with Prime Minister Patrick Manning was a “victory” for himself and the UNC and was a start towards reform. Panday also criticised PM Manning’s statements on a reputed meeting with the Government of Barbados in the ongoing fishing and territorial waters dispute between this country and that Caribbean neighbour. “If you did not have bilateral talks with the PM of Barbados, then you did not have talks. Nobody will kill you for not having bilateral talks. But there is no need to lie,” Panday said.