UNC investigates political leader

Bharat said Dookeran will be asked by to respond to the executive’s concerns about his “actions, statements and behaviour.”

“The issues and concerns of the national executive will be sent to Dookeran by the coming week-end and he will be required to respond at a meeting of the national executive to be specially convened on May 24, 2006, at 5.30 pm at Rienzi Complex,” Bharat told reporters.

He made the disclosures at the executive’s weekly meeting at its Couva headquarters, which Dookeran did not attend, opting instead to speak out at a constituency meeting organised by the San Fernando East and West party groups at Duncan Village.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar snubbed that event saying she could not join Dookeran on the platform because it clashed with the executive’s meeting.

Persad-Bissessar insisted the constituency meeting was not approved by the executive.

Shortly after 10 pm Wednesday, Bharat emerged from the executive’s caucus and told reporters of the decision to probe the political leader.

“No one will be able to engage in any political activity in the name of the UNC without having the approval of the national executive,” said Bharat before releasing the members of the investigating committee.

It includes Bharat, UNC CEO Dr Tim Gopeesingh, Chaguanas Mayor Dr Suruj Rambachan and former government minister Dr Daphne Phillips.