Ramesh: ‘I want to put the people of the country first’

Maharaj, whose re-entry into the UNC is being strenuously resisted by the majority of elected MPs and senators, said he was interested in uniting the party and the country.

"I am not concerned with the personal feelings and insecurities of persons. I want to put the people of the country first," he said.

Maharaj, who is due to speak at the party’s unity meeting next Sunday at Mid-Centre Mall, said he believed that people would come out in the thousands to show their support and solidarity with the move to unite and save the country.

Maharaj avoided responding to statements made by individuals, focusing instead on what he perceived to be the views of the large body of the UNC membership and the population of Trinidad and Tobago. He declined to comment on Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran’s statement that he (Maharaj) should apologise to the party and the country for his role in removing the UNC from office.

"I am not concerned with individuals and with the feelings of individuals," Maharaj said. "I am concerned with the people. And those who are against unity will have to go to their constituencies and account (for their position). I am not answering any queries raised by any particular person," he told Newsday.

Maharaj said he went throughout the length and breadth of Trinidad and Tobago and met with delegations of every sort. "And I am 150 percent convinced that the people of this country would totally support my action in respect of uniting the party and the country," he said.