Dookeran needs UNC base

Firstly Sir, there is only one UNC which has a functioning Executive. However, we do have the case where the Political Leader is running a parallel organisation (which you have continuously denied) but now you are speaking of establishing a single party; by that I presume the current UNC and your parallel group – so at least there are no if and buts as to what you were doing all along and were always denying this – you have been running a parallel organisation.

The UNC is the same party that you admitted that you do not command the majority support of its members. How can you expect to lead any organisation if by your own admission you cannot command the support of its members? Respect is earned, not bestowed Mr Dookeran. In politics, it’s not “my way or the highway”; it’s about being a people’s person.

Last week, you indicated that while you did not attend the UNC’s assembly, you chastised the efforts of those who were going to “assemble at Rienzi Complex,” saying that it was designed to legitimise the “odious” attempts to remove you from the UNC’s leadership position – these are the people who are UNC in every sense of the word and you want to be our Leader!

Now, you are planning your own assembly. Is it that the ordinary rank and file membership of the UNC are too illiterate or ignorant for you to join them? At your own so-called congress, which will be a non UNC meeting, will those in attendance be passing resolutions and calling on the UNC to adopt them? I hope you now realise that you have given the PNM a very important arsenal to use in the next election against the UNC, ie the UNC are made up of a bunch of corrupt and ineffective people. Mr Dookeran, how can you want to lead this party if this is what you think of the Party?

You have admitted that you do not enjoy the support of the UNC masses. Yet still, you have encouraged and allowed those who do not belong to the party to speak about the UNC with absolute authority and new found loyalty and enthusiasm. They are trying to give the impression that they have a monopoly over integrity, honesty and commitment and are the sole custodians of intellect, vision, knowledge and competence. Their concept of unity and reconciliation is rather selective. Some must be included and others excluded.

When I decided to support the UNC, it was because Basdeo Panday had made it quite clear that the UNC was a national party where every creed and race would find an equal place. I will never support a Hindu, Muslim or Christian political party, I will support a national party. Basdeo Panday led the UNC this way; he is the only leader to truly embrace all the peoples of Trinidad and Tobago; one of your staunch supporters Gerry Yetming is on record as saying this is why he joined the UNC!

I am disgusted with those so-called Hindu leaders for getting involved in the party’s business. I have not seen those leaders calling on the PNM to stop the blatant discrimination against our people; so why will you now inflict them on us? Pray tell me, when are you going to get the Muslim community to do the same? The irony of all this is that as a non-Hindu, did you call upon those of your faith to come out openly and support you?

Finally Mr Dookeran, you are quoted as saying, “If that requires us to form a new party, then I would have to bow to the wishes of a new party”. Both you and I know that this is not an option that you will even consider; you and those around you need the UNC base; that’s what this is all about.

You know that you do not stand a chance of ever getting any success by associating with any other political organisation than the UNC. In fact, if this were the case you would have formed your party long ago.

ANCIL BALFOUR

Barataria