Jack jumps in UNC race
Central to my decision is that in Winston Dookeran, former prime minister Panday has identified a worthy successor
Richard Lord
Thursday, September 8th 2005
WINSTON DOOKERAN, MP for St Augustine, yesterday agreed to a proposal by UNC leader Basdeo Panday to run for the post of Political Leader in the party's October 2 national executive elections.
And party activist Jack Warner has joined the race to contest one of the posts of deputy political leader.
Last Friday during a meeting at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Panday promised to sign Dookeran's nomination papers for the post of Political Leader.
After one week of deliberations, Dookeran yesterday telephoned Panday informing him of his decision to accept the offer.
Nomination for all postilions will close at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
Panday, the leader of the party since it was established 16 years ago, is expected to contest the post of party chairman.
Panday's slate is expected to include Wade Mark, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Dr Tim Gopeesingh and Kelvin Ramnath while the other slate is expected to include Chief Whip Ganga Singh, Manohar Ramsaran, Dr Roodal Moonilal, Roy Augustus and Capt Gary Griffith,
Up to late last evening the two slates met separately to make final preparations for today's nomination day exercises.
In announcing his decision to contest the elections, Concacaf President Warner said he did "not have the option" but to accept nomination.
Warner, who left the country for London yesterday on FIFA business ( he's a FIFA vice president) was high in praise for Panday and that he remains "a devoted friend and loyal supporter" of Panday.
Warner said: "When a leader volunteers to endorse the candidacy of another person as his successor in the political organisation that leader founded and built into a party strong enough to win government, he stands ten feet tall."
Warned said because of Panday's "unprecedented and unmatched contribution to our country, we can have only one response to the voluntary decision of the founder of the UNC to endorse the candidacy of Winston Dookeran for the leadership of the UNC."
He stressed the key reason for seeking to become one of the three deputy political leaders of the UNC was Panday's decision to endorse Dookeran as the party's new political leader.
Panday had lashed out at "wicked" UNC members for leaking details of the meeting with Dookeran and said he would be leading a slate with dedicated, disciplined and trustworthy UNC members.
Some of the members loyal to Panday said that Warner's announcement proves that Dookeran had his own slate.
Party headquarters, Rienzi Complex, Couva, was a buzz of activity yesterday as members began collecting nomination forms to be submitted by 4 o'clock this afternoon. Among those taking forms were Chief Whip and Caroni East MP Ganga Singh and Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, who is contesting one of the posts of deputy political leader.
More than 60 nomination forms were taken by yesterday.
Sources close to Panday remained confident that his slate will sweep the polls. They said it will mark the beginning of the return of the UNC to the seat of Government in Trinidad and Tobago after the next general elections are held.
The national executive held a special meeting at Rienzi Complex yesterday to set up an Election Management Committee to oversee the party's elections.
The Committee, to be chaired by former Senate President Ganace Ramdial, will comprise nine members.
