POLITICAL energy filled the air as more than 10,000 people cheered on Member of Parliament for St. Augustine Winston Dookeran who relinquished his role as Political Leader of the United National Congress (UNC).

The Centre of Excellence, Macoya, venue last Sunday was crammed with flags and banners waving in the new politics and Dookeran’s new party “Congress of the People”.

With a symbol that is solid orange circle from which rings of orange circles radiate, getting bigger as they go out.

All ages, colour and creed where out on Sunday afternoon supporting the new beginning of the “Congress of People”.

Dookeran, after the long row between the executive committee of the UNC, ended the rift and speculations about his role in the UNC.

A fanfare of music and drumming filled the Centre of Excellence as the crowd raised flags and banners that stated “Cascade supports Dookeran, Westmoorings supports Dookeran.”

Banner-bearing youths with arms raised and joined surrounded Dookeran as “God Bless our Nation” was played.

With a temporary stop to the commotion two members of the audience presented resolutions asking Dookeran to form a new party.

Prior to Dookeran announcement, former Deputy Political Leader John Humphrey address the audience stating that he went into semi-retirement from politics in 2002.

Humphrey added that he was moved to re-enter the arena because of what they (UNC) were doing to Dookeran.

Former UNC Senator Sadiq Baksh who made his contribution in support of Dookeran stated Panday himself was presenting a smear campaign over Dookeran.

The Centre of Excellence is filled to capacity.

A member of the audience displays his banner
for TnT Mirror.

From left: Former UNC Senator MANOHAR
RAMSARAN, Caroni MP GANGA SINGH and
MP for St. Augustine WINSTON DOOKERAN.

Former Chaguanas MP HULSIE BHAGGAN ...
with some choice words.

“Could you imagine the level to which our former Prime Minister and guru sunk to,” Baksh asked.

Baksh continued something evil had befallen Panday “to the extent that he is now masterminding to destroy the very political party he built on the premise that no other Indo-Trinidadian must be elected to prime ministerial office once he is alive.”

Also at the Congress was Former Chaguanas MP Hulsie Bhaggan who was greeted with a loud applause when she was announced to speak.

Bhaggan noted that politicians who cannot rise to the challenge (of bringing good government to the people) should ride out in the sunset.

Bhaggan slammed the PNM for negotiations with notorious gang leaders and this proved that the PNM could not solve crime in T&T.

Others at the congress included Max James, Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and Gillian Lucky.

Also in the audience were former Minister of Finance Gerald Yetming, former UNC Chief Whip Ganga Singh and former Member of Parliament Morgan Job and other former Ministers from the National Alliance Reconstruction (NAR) and UNC.