Lucky set to quit the UNC

Sources said since the row at Rienzi Complex, Lucky, in view of what Panday said to her and other developments since then, was considering her options. These include — resignation from the UNC, or resignation from Parliament (which would mean a by-election in Pointe-a-Pierre).

If she decides to leave the UNC but stay in Parliament, she would do so as an independent member sources said. However, it was made clear that Lucky will not be crossing the floor to join the PNM. "That is definitely not on," a source told Newsday yesterday.

Lucky, a regular front-line speaker at UNC political meetings, who was scheduled to speak at tonight’s People’s Forum in Plum Mitan, was yesterday dropped from the line-up of speakers for tonight’s meeting. This development, sources said, was an indication of the widening rift between Lucky and the UNC leadership.

These developments follow a heated exchange between Panday and Lucky that led to Lucky storming out of a UNC Parliamentary caucus meeting at the Rienzi Complex last Thursday.

The meeting became heated when Panday reportedly sought to censure Lucky as to why she signed the report of the Privileges Committee into an incident in the Parliamentary tea room involving Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma and Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley. The report found in favour of Rowley.

At Thursday’s meeting, Lucky reportedly stood by the decision to sign the report, even though it was unfavourable to her UNC colleagues. She told Panday she had no intention of compromising her integrity in the matter.

Panday reportedly told her that politics had a morality of its own, and if her integrity was more important than politics she should leave politics. He also told her she was not a team player. Lucky was apparently incensed by Panday’s statement and slammed her hand on the table striking a folder she had in her hand several times, and generally faced down Panday. He was reportedly stunned at her response to him, and left the meeting.

Panday was outside talking to reporters who had heard the raised voices, when Lucky yanked the door open and went to her car. However, she was encouraged to return to the meeting which she did.

Sources told Newsday, in Panday’s absence, Lucky got the support of a number of MPs but Lucky called them cowards for not making their views known in Panday’s presence.

UNC caucus chairman Ganga Singh has played down the issue, stating that members were free to come and go at meetings. As for a comment, Panday said it was an internal party matter. Lucky has so far refused to make a statement.