On the other hand, he doesn’t seem to think things through as he should, and it is this disregard for consequences that has him where he is. The laptop incident is symptomatic of this idiosyncrasy.
The sudden increase in the price of flour and dhal and the domino effect on food prices presented a fantastic opportunity for the UNC to expose the PNM. The Government was against the ropes on this one, and this was a one-off opportunity to go on the offensive.
Once the price increase took effect, the sting in the criticism would be lost, as T&T nationals are famous for grumblingly accepting and adjusting to change. The PNM needed a distraction badly.
It baited Panday and preyed on his Achilles heel: his ferocious temper. They picked a fight at the right moment, and were laughing all the way to Manning’s palace to feast and fete at our expense.
They were able to avoid a well-deserved drubbing by outfoxing Panday. Not a master stroke, really, when you consider how easy it was for them to push Panday’s buttons. He was predictable, and easy to manipulate.
Once you ignited this dynamite, it was bound to explode. It doesn’t seem to have the power to pause, to stop and think, consider the entire situation in a moment of detached reflection. The hard part, though, this is from a man whose favourite quote is: “Those whom the Gods wish to destroy they first make mad.”
I’d be surprised if Panday deliberately did this to focus the spotlight on him and create a confrontation, because he thrives on victimhood. This would be selfish and stupid, and disqualify him from leadership for more obvious reasons.
Truth be told, his political career is replete with examples of this kind of unthinking foolishness.
When Panday had to deal with the rift between himself and Ramesh, he poured fuel onto the flame by appointing Kamla to act as PM, even though Ramesh had just won the prized position of deputy political leader.
It was as clear as daylight to everyone that if this rift widened, the party would crumble, and there was no guarantee the UNC could win an election against the PNM with Ramesh attacking from the flanks, riding the horse of morality dressed as the great corruption buster.
Panday had the power to heal the rift, but irrationally and angrily lashed out at Rienzi, telling Trevor Sudama, Ralph Maraj and Ramesh “who want to leave could blasted leave!”
Without any regard for the consequences, the UNC administration predictably unravelled. Ramesh was fired; MPs refused to tow the line, and fresh elections were called, which resulted in the infamous tie.
Panday could have saved the opportunity to impale the PNM on the rising food prices by simply indicating to Barry Sinanan that he intended to speak in the debate. He would have been allowed to keep his laptop open; end of story.
Instead, he allowed his anger to control him, because he has nothing but contempt for Sinanan, whom he thinks is a PNM Indian stooge appointed for cheap window dressing who shouldn’t dare have the audacity to try and wield power over him.
He held and treated Ramesh, Kelvin, Sudama, Dookeran, Kamla and countless others with the same kind of contempt, and has paid the price. He is the cause and author of his own political misfortunes.
Whilst he thrives on disintegration and reincarnation and reintegration, the fact of the matter is the people are the ones who have to suffer the consequences of his irrational choices.
Whilst the PNM is laughing and Panday is basking in the glory of his duel, the light bill increases, phulourie is now two for $1, doubles is $5 and flour is scarce.
A typical, pyrrhic Panday victory.
anand@tstt.net.tt - http://www.anandramlogan.com
Anand's column also appears in the Sunday Guardian
No comments:
Post a Comment