Ramesh accepts Panday’s Senate offer

In a release issued yesterday, Maharaj confirmed that during discussions with Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday last Saturday he (Maharaj) assured him of his "willingness to serve our country as an Opposition (UNC) Senator." But, he added, "it was not possible at this time" because of "heavy commitments" he now has. "I would not be able at this time to give maximum service as a Senator," he said, adding that Panday understood his position.

"I am thankful and deeply honoured to have been invited by the Honourable Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the United National Congress, Mr Basdeo Panday, to serve this beloved nation as an Opposition Senator," he stated.

Maharaj said he gave the commitment to join forces with Panday to "foster unity" and to do "what it takes to rescue Trinidad and Tobago from the present Government."

"In this time of national crisis, we have to stand up, unite and act now to save our nation from the evils of the present Government," he stated.

After four years of bitter internecine warfare, the news that Panday and Maharaj had buried their differences shook the Trinidad and Tobago political world to its foundation and created consternation in the ranks of the PNM and shock in the ranks of the Opposition.

Their relationship may have many twists and turns, but both Maharaj and Panday were solidly in agreement yesterday that the country was facing perilous times under the present administration.

Maharaj said the Government had permitted the country to become lawless and unsafe. Maharaj, who waged a battle against corruption in the UNC, lamented that corruption, waste, nepotism and favouritism had become the order of the day. He said there was a serious flight of capital, citizens were leaving and injustice was being suffered at all levels. "Our citizens are experiencing hopelessness and despair. We have to act now to prevent irreparable damage," he said.

Speaking to Newsday, Panday, responding to questions on Maharaj’s proposed return to the UNC fold, stated, "As chairman of the UNC I propose to do everything to unite the forces who want the removal of the PNM." He said the PNM could not deal with crime, the public utilities, health, transport and many other areas of Government responsibility. Told that analysts had stated he had played a major political card with Maharaj’s return, which was probably not his last, Panday quipped, "In politics, my stack of cards always has more than 52."

Most of the MPs were in full support of Maharaj’s return. Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, at whose expense Maharaj is to enter the Senate whenever he is ready, stated that she has always been for reconciliation. She said the UNC had suffered many losses and had been deprived of many good resources because of conflict.

Seepersad-Bachan said she is proceeding with her work in the Senate, since no one informed her that she is to be replaced. "You take everything in stride," she said. She stated that she did not think that a proposed replacement (by Maharaj) would have been linked to her contesting the election on a Progressive slate. "The Parliament is separate from the national executive. I am here, committed to building the party" she said.