“That is why Imam Bakr is in jail today,” said Ballack.

Dookeran was a former National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) Member of Parliament.

The controversial Imam Bakr was arrested last November 7; and has continuously been denied bail.

He has since had eight charges, including terrorism, sedition, incitement and possession of arms and ammunition slapped against him, as a result of his Eid sermon about zakaat, to his followers at the Mucurapo-based mosque.

“Everybody knows the Jamaat always wanted Dookeran to be the next Prime Minister of Trini-dad and Tobago,” a fighting Ballack deadpanned.

“And that was because he was the only one at the time (of the 1990 coup attempt), with the character to lead a nation.

“Well, as far as I and a lot of others are concerned, that is still so.”

Saying that he was not speaking on behalf of the Council of the Jamaat, or that he didn’t know how the imam felt, Ballack went on to recall July 27, 1990, when the imam, who, while seated in Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT), told the nation that Dookeran had been appointed to act as prime minister.

“He saw him as the only man who could hold TnT together,” Ballack recalled.

Ballack himself was among the 114 armed insurgents of the failed coup that took over Parliament and seized TTT, the lone television station at the time.

Dookeran was among several Members of Parliament who were held hostage.

It was during the amnesty arrangements that Imam Abu Bakr appointed Dookeran to lead the country, until things were settled.

Meanwhile, Ballack has accused former Attorney General Ramesh Maharaj of “suddenly” jumping into the fray.

“I remember Ramesh; we know him well,” said Ballack.

“He used to be our lawyer; he knows us too and he knows that out of all the leaders who will be fighting to lead in 2007, we will throw our weight behind Dookeran,” Ballack continued.

“He may not be strong-mouthed man or have the charisma of Panday, but when it comes to leading the East Indians out of shame, Dookeran can do it.

“His deputies will cater for the Africans …”

“Dookeran has what it takes.”

Ballack continued: “Certain elements in the PNM, too, also know that we will support Dookeran.”

However, he said he was wary of Maharaj’s “sudden outpouring of love” for Panday.

“He has come into the picture because he knows Dookeran, at this time, makes a stronger opponent and he stands a very good chance at being successful at the polls,” Ballack contended.

He continued: “Both the PNM and UNC are aware of the amount of influence the imam has on his followers and the grassroots people when it comes to voting.

“He will get them to vote the party which he thinks will help the poor.

“We campaigned for the UNC and they won; we campaigned for the PNM and they won; we have always admired Dookeran.

“As far back as 1990, the imam saw something in him.”

Ballack reiterated that the imam is very persuasive when it comes to matters of politics.

“He has influence over hundreds, especially the youth with whom he works closely,” added Ballack, who noted that the Jamaat al Muslimeen has several branches spread across the TnT.

“They are trying all how to break Imam Bakr, but that will never happen,” Ballack assured.

“The imam’s incarceration is purely for political purposes,” he ended.