A twist of his history

The difference of course was that at the Rienzi Complex meeting, Panday was seeking to give Dookeran one more chance at reconciliation before a series of action in conformity with the UNC constitution kicks in. But the crowd would have none of it. They said in angry tones, “No, we don’t want him!” “Throw him out!”

Eighteen years ago at the NAR meeting the leadership was itself demanding that Panday, Kelvin Ramnath, Trevor Sudama and John Humphrey be “kicked out”. The only conciliatory voice was that of Lincoln Meyers who made a plea, similar to that of Panday on Saturday, that the door to reconciliation be not shut.

But the crowd at the SWWTU Hall, which included Jennifer Johnson, Roy Augustus, Gloria Henry and others made vociferous demands for “expulsion now.” They said then, that the time for reconciliation has passed.

“Let Panday take his 12 seats and go,” was their demand. However, 12 parliamentarians did not go, because Dookeran, Nizam Mohammed and Dr Emmanuel Hosein, among others chose to remain.

NAR went on to lose the next election with Panday forming the Opposition. Four years later, Panday became Prime Minister in a 17-17 tie with the PNM. In 2001 Panday’s UNC won the government on its own. Oh, what a twist of history!

HARRY PARTAP

MP-Nariva