Break up to make up

August 27, 2001

UNC public meeting:

"You want to hand this country back over to the PNM? Well that is what some foolish fellas in our party trying to do . . . There is always some jackass who wants to challenge the leader! . . .so you feel any of them fellas who playing the fool could win their seat without the UNC? Answer meh!"

October 1, 2001

Rienzi Complex, Couva, after firing Ramesh Maharaj as Attorney General:

"We simply could not carry on as we have been for the last couple of months with this incessant bickering and in-fighting that kept the nation in a state of suspense. We could not keep punishing the nation like this forever. This thing has to some to an end. The nation needs to breathe again.

"Since the party’s national executive elections, there has been a constant battle by some members to destroy the party’s philosophy of inclusion and to go back to the Caroni-based party of long ago. We come too far to turn BLACK now. I would rather lose the Government, I would rather lose the Prime Ministership, I would rather pack up and go home than give up this struggle for unity and inclusion."

June 2005

At a UNC public meeting shortly after being released from prison:

"We must not mix up unity with reconciliation. If it means we’re asking people all over let us join in the struggle, yes. We are all for reconciliation but we must have reconciliation on the basis of party discipline. We cannot have somebody, because they disagree with the party, to throw a tantrum and run to the media immediately and put the party into disrepute. We can’t have that.

"I’ve always said that politics is a civilised substitute for war. The rules are the same. They are out to get you. Manning (Prime Minister Patrick Manning) understands that. Why you think Manning trying to get us before we get him. Before you carry on a battle you need a disciplined army.

"We don’t want that if we should join and win the next election the same thing happens to us as in 2000 and within one year three of them gone and join the PNM and remove the UNC. We must have the guarantee that will not happen again. Our people cannot take that kind of thing again. They just cannot take it."

January 28, 2006

Following a closed meeting at Rienzi Complex, Couva with Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and president of the Hindu Credit Union (HCU), Harry Harrinarine:

"I am willing to work with anyone who wants unity and change of governance in the country at this time."

February 10, 2006

On UNC members who are critical of Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj’s imminent return to the party:

"There are some people inside the United National Congress who suffer from inferiority complex. They fear competition. They don’t want people who are smarter than them or braver than them or stronger than them around. Those are the people who are against unity."

February 12, 2006

On being reminded that Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj was responsible for the UNC being in Opposition: