Dookeran concerned over UNC infighting

Dookeran, speaking on the "Progressives" slate led by Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal in Debe Village, warned against infighting between the two slates contesting the party’s October 2 executive. In the most fiery and frank speech ever delivered on a political platform by Dookeran, according to some, the St Augustine MP signalled warnings against being burdened "like a yoke on my back" with fightings inside the UNC.

Saying he had accepted UNC’s leadership after much thought and consultation with influential people, the business sector included, Dookeran said, "There are many waiting at the door to come into the UNC once they know I am in charge and I’m in control." Wearing the bright orange shirt which symbolised the "Progressives" slate, Dookeran added, "People are not going to risk their political future if they know that their political leader is uncertain about his tenure."

Dookeran then issued a call to the UNC rank and file to be decisive about the politics of the "old" versus a re-emerging new generation of UNC support. Attending the meeting were St Joseph MPs Gerald Yetming, Senators Sadiq Baksh, Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, Roy Augustus, Winston "Gypsy" Peters and Robin Moonan.

Telling the "Progressives" that he had spoken on the "Patriots" platform Monday night, Dookeran promised to heal friction that could emerge post October 2. Condemning some of the verbal attacks, Dookeran heaped praise on UNC financier Jack Warner, Yetming, Moonilal and Baksh as representatives of politics of a new generation.

When offered the leadership by Panday, who viewed him as having become a seasoned politician, Dookeran said he had told the Opposition Leader that he never had an opportunity to fight. However, the political leader designate told the meeting that while the opportunity to fight has presented itself, he is fearful of having to expend all his energies fighting inside the UNC.

Amid thunderous applause, Dookeran dropped a bombshell when he said that many supporters had viewed him as a leader who could not make "deals." "They say I’m not aggressive enough; not dishonest; can’t make deals," Dookeran said.

Dookeran called on both slates to join with him in confronting the politics of a new generation against what he described as the politics of "manipulation."

"This fight is about confronting the imprisonment of the old politics and politics for the preservation of power," he said, "versus the politics of welfare of our people."