Panday denies Ramesh returning to UNC

OPPOSITION LEADER Basdeo Panday said any talk of former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj’s return to the UNC is nothing but speculation, because Maharaj has made no formal approach to the party to date. Talk of Maharaj rejoining the UNC was rife during a sugar workers’ meeting at the Naparima Bowl in San Fernando on Sunday, at which the former UNC deputy leader was the keynote speaker. Panday reportedly got a “feel” about how UNC MPs felt about a reconciliation with Maharaj during a “secret” party caucus meeting in July at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya.

Contacted yesterday prior to his departure for Tobago, where the UNC was scheduled to hold a public meeting, Panday told Newsday he knew nothing about any plans to bring Maharaj back into the fold. “No request has been made to the party,” said the UNC leader. Panday said he has not spoken to Maharaj personally about his return to the UNC. In an interview with Newsday two weeks ago, Maharaj said he had no plans to return to the UNC and the party needed to be completely overhauled if it is to regain credibility with the national community and stand a chance at defeating the PNM in the 2007 general elections. Prior to the 2003 Local Government elections, Panday read the riot act to UNC members who had been speaking to Maharaj about the UNC’s political future.

The UNC is due to hold its national congress next month, during which elections will be held for several executive positions within the party with the exception of political leader. Of particular interest will be the three new deputy leader posts up for grabs. Party sources have identified Opposition MPs Ganga Singh, Kamla-Persad Bissessar and Gerald Yetming as the most likely persons to fill these posts. Some UNC sources were uncertain about whether St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran would contend while others suggested that Dookeran may choose to work quietly behind the scenes instead of taking on the responsibilities of a party post. Dookeran was at one time considered a likely successor to Panday but denied ever having such political aspirations.