Panday ponders his political future

Panday told Newsday yesterday that he has not decided whether he would remain as Opposition Leader or contest the next general elections in Trinidad and Tobago, which are constitutionally due in 2007.

On Thursday, Panday and Dookeran were nominated unopposed for the respective posts of party chairman and political leader. Panday kept his promise and signed Dookeran’s nomination papers.

However, Panday said the issue of who leads the UNC in the House of Representatives (as opposition leader or possibly prime minister) will not be decided on October 2.

Panday explained that according to the Constitution, the political leader of any party in the Parliament which opposes the Government does not automatically become the Leader of the Opposition.

As far as selecting the latter post goes, Section 83 (2) of the Constitution states: "The President shall, if the person concerned is willing to be appointed, appoint as leader of the opposition, the member of the House of Representatives who, in his judgment is best able to command the support of the greatest number of members in the House of Representatives who do not support the Government."

According to Sections 83 (3) and (4) of the Constitution, the opposition leader’s post becomes vacant when the holder either resigns his office, is no longer a member of the Lower House "for any other cause other than a dissolution of Parliament" or in the President’s judgment, no longer commands the support of the majority of Lower House MPs who are opposed to the Government.

Panday explained that the October 2 elections will determine how the party handles its internal affairs. Issues such as his position as opposition leader, or if he would contest the next general elections will be decided at a later date. Should Panday be elected as UNC chairman and he decides to remain as opposition leader, this would give him significant political power over Dookeran (as political leader) — both in Parliament and in the party.

While Panday has publicly stated his wish to give up leadership of the party once a suitable replacement is chosen by the UNC’s membership, he also said he would not abandon the party and leave it vulnerable to political predators. Addressing UNC supporters in Kelly Village on Monday night, Panday declared that he will never disappear into the sunset "never to be seen or heard again" regardless of what happens on October 2.

Panday reiterated that nothing is settled as far as candidates contesting the October 2 elections, as those persons have until Tuesday to indicate whether or not they would stay in the race.

The contest for the party’s three deputy political leader posts is expected to be particularly fierce with Wade Mark, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Jack Warner, Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, Roodal Moonilal and Carol Cuffie-Dowlat in the running for those positions.