Dookeran willing to form new party

Dookeran was speaking yesterday at the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Youth Convention at the Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College. Former UNC senator Robin Montano and Chaguanas MP, Manohar Ramsaran were all in attendance to offer support to Dookeran who at the time faced a motion of no-confidence to be discussed by an UNC assembly.

Following a rousing round of applause from the young audience, Dookeran said he and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar had a responsibility to, “shape a single party to challenge the PNM.”

“The last ten months have not been easy but my response has not been to pack it up and pack it in as one of my parliamentary colleagues demanded. I did not pack my “jhaji bundle” and go as another of my party colleagues demanded!” said a passionate Dookeran.

He chastised the efforts of those who were going to “assemble at Rienzi Complex,” saying that it was designed to legitimise the “odious” attempts to remove him from the UNC’s leadership position.

Regarding the likelihood of the formation of a new political party Dookeran reiterated his desire for UNC unity but after referring to the removal of the PNM, he added, “if it requires a new political party I will bow to the wishes of the people.” He also revealed that some of his recent talks with former UNC Political Leader Basdeo Panday revolved around the proposition of having a wider UNC leadership of about five or six persons, one of which will be selected to run for the post of Prime Minister just before election day.

Dookeran said that he was unwilling to support this as it was a definite road to a UNC election defeat.