Tempers flare at UNC meeting

The parliamentary arm included MPs, councillors and chairmen of UNC-controlled regional corporations.

An open-panel discussion descended into a shouting match when some members accused Political Leader Winston Dookeran of taking a back-bench in the leadership of the party. A UNC member was heard shouting: “a leader cannot lead from the back bench.”

Another member shouted: “we have a crabs in a barrel mentality” and questioned the dual leadership roles in the party.

Dookeran was heard loudly defending his role saying he took the decision to go to the back benches to defend his sense of personal dignity within the party. After the meeting, Dookeran declined to speak to the media and only said: “talk to the other members of the panel.”

During the meeting, Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran stormed out in disgust accompanied by several councillors.