BASDEO PANDAY is as important to the politics of the United National Congress (UNC) and by extension, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as is Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar are to the cricket of the West Indies and India respectively.

He is as relevant, necessary and politically worthwhile as Russell Latapy is, to Trinidad and Tobago’s chances in reaching the World Cup in Germany.

Those who have aspirations of pushing him into political oblivion do not have the objectives of the relentless struggle at heart.

They have not laboured in the vineyard long enough to accept the dynamics of the struggle that he has been engaged in.

They are reluctant to accept that Panday is the only one with the guts and the stomach to fight the parasitic oligarchy.

He is the only one willing to challenge big businesses and their grab for power.

He is the only one who does not support the inebriated decisions that are taken during the “cocktail-circuit” meetings.

He is the only one with the political strength, competence and charisma to launch a meaningful challenge against the People’s National Movement (PNM).

Patrick Manning and the PNM know this.

That is why there has been a deafening silence from them, about those wanting to grab power from Panday.

The PNM has not and will not comment on those pushing Dookeran to lead the Opposition in Parliament.

Manning knows that “as long as Dookeran is there (Opposition) he would always be here (in Government)”.

It is a pity that those trying to oust Panday don’t recognise this.

It is also even more difficult to support their argument that Dookeran as Political Leader, is natural heir apparent to the post of Opposition Leader.

There is absolutely no provision in the UNC Constitution or the Constitution of the Republic that the leader of a party is ex-officio leader of the House.

That would be absolutely backwards and foolhardy.

There is no requirement for this in law or otherwise.

When Panday gave way to Dookeran as Political Leader he was merely answering the call for proper succession planning in the Party.

For a long time people wondered; after Panday who?

He finally answered by stepping down as leader of the Party.

In doing so, he gave way to Dookeran to take the party forward.

Dookeran was given the authority to lead the “executive” arm of the Party, that is, “to get the party politics right”.

He was entrusted with re-imaging the UNC to face the PNM, to reinstitutionise the Women’s Arm, the Youth Arm, the Education and Research Committee, and the Policy and Strategy Committee.

He is the one to start the mobilisation from the ground, to kick off the fight from the trenches.

He is the one to image the Party as the “alternative government-in waiting”.

Panday on the other hand, is the one to take the fight to the PNM in the Lower House.

He is the one to lead the “legislative arm” of the party.

He shapes the party’s response to Bills being paid in the House.

He is after all, the most articulate, eloquent, vociferous and outspoken Member of Parliament.

Ramesh Maharaj calls him “the best debator in Parliament”.

His Parliamentary experience is unparalleled.

Basdeo Panday formed the government in 1995 because of the intellectual and practical position he adopted with respect to crime, unemployment, the deteriorating state of the public utilities and alienation.

He clearly articulated then a response mechanism to such social ills.

Today, he continues to be the most sensible advocate for socio-economic change.

His response to Budget 2005 was absolutely brilliant; the best he has delivered ever.

These are two distinctive roles that ultimately mesh towards one objective.

It is a pity that Dookeran does not accept this or is being driven by others into not accepting this.

Dookeran, who within recent times has been espousing Fabian Marxism must be honest to himself, the Party and the nation and indicate that at this time he is not the man to lead the struggle in the House.

When the time is right he may be, but that time is not now.

He must prove himself to be made of true leadership material by resisting the golden apple being offered by those within.

To do otherwise would jeopardise the ambitions of the thousands under him whose only objective is to follow the glorious struggle to victory.

THE EDITOR:
I AM very excited that Mr. Panday and his former Lieutenant, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, have agreed to team up in order to save our beautiful country from the bumbling incompetence of the present People’s National Movement (PNM) Administration.
Bas is wise to finally heed the advice of Jack Warner to reconcile with Ramesh.

The Ramesh/Panday combination saved the country from the last PNM Government and I am hopeful that it will save us once more.

Only they have the magic formula to reduce crime.

People would recall the great confidence the nation had in the United National Congress (UNC) Administration when Panday and Ramesh were running the government until Panday stopped listening to Ramesh, triggering the collapse of his government.

Only the two of them had previously shown they have the ability to deal with the criminals.

The crime wave is driving fears among everyone leading to outward migration and capital flight (Have you noticed there is a shortage of foreign currency?).

Crime was at an all time low when Ramesh was the AG and criminals were on the run because the criminals “fraid” Ramesh.

The glory days would return once Panday and Ramesh team up.

The get-together of Bas and Ramesh, in spite of differences between the two great sons of the soil, will go down in history as an act of great statesmanship.

When the two are long gone from the political scene, the younger generation would look back and remember them as the people who put the nation above personalities to rescue us from the criminals and political ineptitude.

Today, no one can dis-pute that the country is under siege.

Our beautiful TnT is at its lowest point in its history with people hopeless.

Dark clouds hang over the nation’s future as criminals roam freely and often sleep in the same bed with officials.

The nation needs Panday and Ramesh again.

I am thankful that they have decided to put the country and people first by agreeing to come together to form a new alliance that will take the Opposition back to government.

History has shown that there have been occasions when countries sink because their leaders don’t unite.

In fact, right here in TnT the country began to sink when Panday listened to bad advice and got rid of Ramesh from his government. Panday is returning to his senses and doing the right thing by embracing Ramesh.

Neither he nor other members of the UNC should harp back on past differences but to look to the future.

Anyone who loves TnT, whether UNC or NAR or any other party supporter, should not return to past differences which leaders had over political issues.

Let us bury the past over Ramesh.

It is time to move forward and save the country.

This is a time when every citizen should examine what has happened in TnT over the last four years and to say whether they are safer than when Panday and Ramesh were going after criminals.

Thank you Bas and Ramesh!

May God bless your new found love.

THE EDITOR:
I READ David Maynard’s article in the Friday Mirror, October 21, 2005, which I found very interesting and realistic.

It’s rather unfortunate that we seem to try and fail for so long, notwithstanding all the talk that we possess so much natural talent.

It seems to me that those in charge overlook a very basic and fundamental aspect of the requirements for preparing athletes for world competition.

You cannot achieve any success unless there is a Plan; what we often refer to in advertising as, “A Strategic Plan” documented.

This Plan must carry a SWOT analysis, i.e. Our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Target.

We must carefully examine, analyse and position everything and every approach; test and work with the results for satisfactory and sustained benefits.

Perhaps, we need a new team of strategists; persons who are in sync with what is taking place at the international level, conscientious, dedicated and honest people to take us forward with success.

There’s been too little too long, I’m sure you will agree.