Ex-St Vincent PM for UNC assembly

The annual congress will be held at the UNC’s headquarters in Rienzi Complex, Couva, from 1 pm. In a statement yesterday, the UNC stated that the party’s assembly is the highest decision-making body under its constitution and is open to all financial members.

It is not certain if Dookeran will be present at the assembly. His spokesman Nirad Tiwarie yesterday said no special invitation had been extended to Dookeran to attend. Dookeran was invited to attend the assembly by deputy political leader Wade Mark, via the media, after Wednesday evening’s executive meeting at Rienzi Complex in Couva.

But Tiwarie, refusing to say if Dookeran would attend the assembly, simply replied, “No special invitation was extended to Mr Dookeran and he’s the political leader of the party.”

Tiwarie said Dookeran has a “very hectic schedule” today, which begins with him attending a youth conference at Vishnu Boys’ College.

He then will attend a meeting held by the Islamic Broadcasting Network. Dookeran then has another engagement at the Divali Nagar site after the Islamic Broadcasting Network meeting.

The assembly comes two days after 40 Hindu organisations, reportedly representing 99 percent of the Hindu community, endorsed Dookeran as leader of the UNC.

The endorsement came during a closed door meeting with leaders of the organisations, Dookeran and Panday at Maha Sabha Headquarters in St Augustine on Thursday.

Tiwarie said Dookeran welcomed the endorsement of the Hindu leaders. Former party chairman Basdeo Panday is expected to disclose today whether a resolution was reached between Dookeran and himself in their second meeting earlier this week.