Dookeran mum on today’s UNC rally

The rally was called by the UNC executive, chiefly made up of supporters of UNC chairman Basdeo Panday. But some UNC members are opposing the event because of the advertised presence on stage of former Attorney-General Ramesh Maharaj who had brought down the former Panday administration over alleged corruption. The rally is widely seen as a vehicle for the re-entry into the UNC of Maharaj who has been offered a Senate appointment. It may produce a verdict, not just on Maharaj, but also on the increasing tussle between Panday and UNC political leader Winston Dookeran for control of the party.

Yesterday the big guns were playing their cards close to their chest, in response to media questions about the rally. The big question is, will Dookeran attend? Press advertisements have listed Dookeran as a speaker. But he had objected to the rally. If he attends he might be seen as endorsing something he had opposed. On the other hand, he is entitled to attend a rally of the party of which he is political leader.

Sunday Newsday was unable to find out his plans. We were unable to contact him at his usual numbers. A family member answering his phone could shed no light, saying: "He hasn’t told me." Dookeran’s communications officer, Nirad Tiwarie, yesterday declined to say anything, remarking: "I’m not at liberty to say. He has made a decision in the best interest of the party and the country."

When Sunday Newsday asked Panday if Dookeran would attend, he said: "Ask him. I have no indication. He’s the best one to say."

Panday said the rally will protest the Government’s alleged abuse of its powers. He denied that the rally could split the party by forcing members to take sides in choosing whether or not to attend. "There are no ‘sides’ here. This is a UNC meeting called by the national executive to draw attention to the growing tendency of the State to abuse power." Asked if the size of the turnout would be a verdict on him, or Maharaj, or anyone else, Panday said "no."

"It will be a verdict on the party. Many people say the party is disunited but my contention has always been that it is not." Panday said while there may be dissatisfaction among a few top members, the UNC’s rank and file are united. The rally, he said, would demonstrate whether the party is united or not.

"My message are for a united, disciplined party."

When Sunday Newsday called Maharaj he was preparing his speech. He said: "I feel very confident there will be a very large attendance."

Meanwhile there was no hint of reconciliation between Panday and Caroni East MP Ganga Singh who are in dispute as to whether or not Singh is Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Representatives. Problems developed after Singh made a veiled criticism of Panday as one who "sleeps with the devil".

Singh has vowed to boycott today’s rally, while Panday said yesterday he had nothing to say to Singh. Sunday Newsday was unable to contact Singh, or UNC Senator Sadiq Baksh who said he is opposed to the return of Maharaj but is listed in a press advertisement as a speaker today. Meanwhile, Dookeran, in a statement on Friday, praised Singh and backed him as chief whip.

So at today’s rally, all eyes will be on the size of the turnout, the mood among UNC supporters, and the performances delivered on stage.