Mikela tipped for Senate

The UNC may draw on the Basdeo Panday legacy as it seeks to fill two senatorial seats in the midst of a battle between two factions.

The name of Mikela Panday has emerged along with Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, Jack Warner and two others as the Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar ponders over who should replace former Senators Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and Sadiq Baksh tomorrow.

Persad-Bissessar told Newsday yesterday that while “a lot of names have come forward”, she had not yet made a final decision.

“Several people have make suggestions, but I am still deciding,” she said. The Opposition Leader is expected to make the announcement at a news conference before the Senate sitting tomorrow.

But political sources said that the appointment of Mikela would consolidate the link between Basdeo Panday and the Kamla Persad-Bissessar led faction of the UNC. “Panday still commands support. And since he cannot personally be in the Parliament, the next best thing would be a Panday scion,” one source noted.

The source added that Mikela was a bright, young attorney, who in her own right, would be an asset to the party.

Her political skills have been evident as she has been speaking on the party’s platform over the past year and has been very well received by party members.

Sources said there was a lobby for Maharaj, who had been offered a senatorship by Basdeo Panday, to be appointed. While Maharaj has stated that he prefers to work on the ground (rather than in the Parliament) at this point in time, his name is still being proposed because many argued that he demonstrated as Attorney General a political and legal capability which few can rival.

Warner who is one of the most popular personalities and who is riding high because of the achievement of the Soca Warrior remains a favourite in the lists of nominees for the Senate.

Party sources said that while Ato Boldon has not officially made any announcement about resigning from the Senate, “there is speculation” that the former track and field star would bow out of this race. Attempts to contact Boldon on his cellphone were futile yesterday.

Meanwhile sources predicted that Political Leader Winston Dookeran would be “history” by August 13, the day of the National Assembly. Sources said the Youth League planned to meet on July 13 and the Women’s League on July 15 to debate the no-confidence motion in Dookeran which was passed by the National Executive last week.

The Party’s Congress would then meet on July 29 and the National Assembly on August 13. “If all goes as expected Dookeran will be dealt with,” the source stated.

The source added that Dookeran was in “big, big trouble” because the rank and file of the party “are literally begging us to get rid of him”.