FORMER Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is losing his grip on the “Cabal” in the United National Congress (UNC).

Panday, former chairman of the UNC, has come under fire from the party’s executive over his ceasefire call (since his return from abroad recently), to stop the attacks on the party’s Political Leader Winston Dookeran and defer a vote of no confidence against him until he (Panday) makes a last-ditch effort to unite the two warring factions in the UNC.

Members of the executive did not support that move, according to a source close to the executive.

The ceasefire move is seen as a ploy for Panday to make a comeback and get the support of the Political Leader, after he said he was bowing out of active politics and handed over leadership of the party to Dookeran earlier this year.

But his bid for another leading role in the UNC would be rejected when he meets with Dookeran tomorrow (Saturday) for final unity talks before the National Assembly convenes on August 19 to move a vote of no confidence against him, according to an unimpeachable source close to Dookeran.

Former
Prime Minister
BASDEO PANDAY

WINSTON
DOOKERAN

“This is going to be Dookeran’s last meeting, the outcome of which would decide whether he goes on his own,” the source emphasised.

The source said Dookeran will put forward several proposals to unite the UNC and one of them will be that Panday will have to remain out of the party.

“He can still be an adviser,” the source said.

Dookeran will put forward to Panday three objectives he has to take the UNC into government -- an electable, clean slate with national unity.

The source explained that “electable” means Dookeran wants a strong slate of candidates to take on the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) in the next general election (constitutionally due next year), which will include new faces (from within and outside of the party), representative of TnT’s diverse society that will attract disgruntled voters, who are clamouring for change, and the undecided electorate.

“Clean slate” would mean candidates with integrity, who will not have any “baggage” like criminal charges hanging over their heads.

Unity will not be for the sake of getting together just to fight the PNM but to be a strong and united force to govern the country.

The source stated that Dookeran will advise Panday that he is prepared to work with Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and is no longer interested in the post of Opposition Leader.

But he wants a new executive, which can comprise of some of the current officials -- with the exception of vice-chairman Vasant “Dog Rice” Bharath, vice-chairman.

“Dookeran also has no problem working with Deputy Political Leader Jack Warner and former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj,” the source explained.

“He will decide what role Maharaj can play following his recent return to the party,” the highly-placed source added.

“Panday, a politician with 40 years’ experience, has realised that at present there is no other leader in the UNC than Dookeran, who can bring the people together to have a chance of forming the next government.

“Those names in the Kamla faction making the rounds for leadership will only take the UNC back into Opposition,” the source noted.

“Would you believe there are some UNC politicians who are saying they do not mind going back into Opposition?” another source asked in disbelief.

But will Panday and the executive accept Dookeran’s proposals?

Another question being asked is if Dookeran is removed, who will be the next leader of the UNC.

“Persad-Bisseassar has some support but some UNC MPs are saying she does not have leadership qualities.

“A few are backing Warner and Maharaj.

“UNC supporters fear there is going to be another bitter fight for a new leader, which could see the party being mashed up,” one UNC official said.

“The PNM with a massive election warchest and unlimited Slate resources at its disposal could see the party scoring a landslide victory in the next election if the UNC remains divided.

“Manning will become a dictator, introducing draconian legislation in Parliament, which will infringe on the rights of citizens if the PNM gets a majority in Parliament,” the source noted.

“We may see the end of Judicial Review applications, the removal of the Privy Council and the establishment of a police state,” the source added.