Dookeran attacks Ramesh, Panday

In an apparent attack on former attorney general, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, Winston Dookeran attacked the “politics of sheer ambition” which led to the demise of the UNC in government. UNC Chairman and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, who has offered a senatorship to Maharaj, was seated at the head table when Dookeran made his statement. The whispering campaign against Maharaj’s comeback is developing into a roar. At the meeting, party members distributed a flyer with a picture of Prime Minister Patrick Manning (dressed in a PNM shirt) shaking the hand of former AG Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj with the words: “We’ll keep them in opposition!” And in bold red was the slogan: “Never forget, Never forgive! Save the United National Congress.”

The flyers caused quite a stir at the meeting with persons expressing their views on the issue. Speaking about the movement towards unity in politics, Dookeran referred to the NAR and the collapse of the unity platform. He said the next “light” towards the politics of “inclusion” came with the UNC government, but that ended in internecine fighting. He said he did not have to remind them about “the implosion” that took place in the UNC and “what happened when the politics of sheer ambition took control of the politics of principles.” “I don’t have to remind you about that. But we must be aware of the history. And if we are to build a foundation upon which we are to unite, we have to build that foundation upon solid pillars,” he said.

“I feel very strongly about this because many times populace emotions lead you into one direction only to find sooner or later that that populace emotion is not sustainable in governance,” he said, to applause. He called on the party to learn from its past experience and political history. Sources said that the overwhelming view in the party — from both the former Patriots and former Progressives — was that Maharaj’s re-entry would “mash up” the party. Dookeran said when the platform he envisages is established,  “then we would be able to unite this party in a manner than we have never united it before because the country will itself unite on that platform. And the UNC would be able to walk into Parliament and Whitehall with the spontaneous development of the people.”

Dookeran said he had been holding meetings on this issue. “I probably have had more meetings in the last four months than any politician for a long time. It is becoming tiring and I have asked the CEO to let the meetings stop for Carnival, so that we can have a little break,” he said. “Give us a break to go and enjoy myself and play mas and enjoy the Carnival,” he said, talking in the vernacular. (The CEO however had announced at the start of the meeting that the party was going to hold a massive rally at Mid-Centre Mall in February.

However, Dookeran stressed that he would not shelve his duty. “And I will do that duty until I come to the end of my political struggle,” he said. Dookeran said once the country was united and there were noble intentions, there was no limit to where Trinidad and Tobago could go. He said this period was a turning point, and it was not only a turning point to change the Government, but it was a watershed for the party. That was why, he said, he was talking about the issues of ethics, unity and the new politics.