Panday out of unity talks

In an interview with Newsday yesterday, Panday said neither Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar nor embattled UNC political leader Winston Dookeran has approached him for help in healing the divisions within the party and he was staying clear of that issue. Earlier in the day, Persad-Bissessar told Newsday that she had spoken with Dookeran on Monday and they had agreed to meet either today or tomorrow to discuss ways to mend broken fences in the party.

Former opposition senator Robin Montano, in a letter to Persad-Bissessar, said the Opposition Leader’s latest call for unity was hypocritical because her words to date have not reflected her actions.

Persad-Bissessar said she has not seen Montano’s letter and reiterated her commitment to unify the UNC.

Panday, who resigned as UNC chairman in April, said he has not reconsidered that decision nor decided what his next political step should be.

Persad-Bissessar has said she would not accept Panday’s resignation as UNC chairman and the party’s national executive has said that Panday’s political experience was critical for the UNC at this time.