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UNC member wants Panday to step down
by Daily Nation
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 12:26 UTC
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PORT-Of-SPAIN - In what seems to suggest the end of an era in politics, a UNC delegate, to applause from the floor, called on Political Leader Basdeo Panday to step down as leader.
The call came at a meeting of some 500 UNC delegates at the party's National Congress held at the Rienzi Complex, yesterday.
The delegate, who declined to give his name but party sources identified him as "Abdul", recommended to Panday, who chaired yesterday's meeting, that he hand the leadership over to Deputy Political Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on an interim basis until internal elections are held.
"There is only one person who I think could take this party to victory," Abdul said, before naming Persad-Bissessar. The delegate sat next to Naparima MP Nizam Baksh during yesterday's proceedings.
The UNC Congress later endorsed a resolution for internal party elections to be held on January 28, next year.
"Mr Chairman, I am sure that almost everybody in this hall today supports what I am saying. I think it is high time that we give Kamla Persad-Bissessar a chance (as leader). If there is any doubt - because, Mr Chairman, you always say that you would listen to the wishes of the people - if there is any doubt about what I am saying, you could pass a ballot here today and let there be a secret vote and you would see what I am saying. It is not that I love Mr Panday less, but I love this party more. And . . . this has nothing to do with you or Mrs Persad-Bissessar- this has to do with us . . . the members of the party, and getting into government," Abdul said. UNC officials said Abdul came from the constituency of Caroni Central.
Panday thanked him for his comments, saying: "Your observations would be taken into consideration."
But later Panday told reporters that the January elections would be the opportunity for all party members to say who they wanted to be leader of the party.
Asked whether he planned to contest a post in those elections, Panday said: "If I get nominated, yes. I may not get nominated."
Persad-Bissessar was non-committal on the delegate's call.
"That is the view of one member here today. Certainly it is not the view of everyone out there. This is a democracy."
Told that many people in the audience applauded the delegate's statements, Persad-Bissessar said: "I'm sure I have some fans."
Asked whether she planned to throw her hat in the ring for the January internal elections, Persad-Bissessar said she would have to speak to her constituents before making such a decision.
(Trinidad Express.)
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