UNC Youth resolve to kick out Ramesh and Jack

The youth arm of the Opposition UNC passed a resolution Sunday to expel Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Chaguanas West MP Austin Jack Warner.

Shane Mohammed of Princess Town North read the resolution, which was unanimously passed by the small gathering of about 150 people.

The resolution called for an attempt to resolve the matter through mediation and expulsion if this fails.

It reads:

Be it resolved that the National Youth Arm of the UNC recommends to its honourable political leader Mr Basdeo Panday and the national executive to urgently resolve this issue as a matter of urgent public importance. Be it further resolved that the national youth arm further recommends the following:

• That all avenues of dispute resolution, that is, mediation between the affected parties be the primary approach.

• That failure at mediation results in the establishment of a disciplinary committee to hear the concerns of all affected parties.

• That ultimately in order to preserve the image, goals, objectives and reputation of the UNC that Messieurs Maharaj and Warner be expelled as members of the UNC.

In an immediate response, Maharaj said he and Warner have no problems with mediation in the party to resolve outstanding issues. But he pointed out there must be fairness in how the party addresses such issues.

He told the Trinidad Guardian the political leader has engaged in the same issues for which they stand accused: discussing the internal affairs of the party in public.

Maharaj said, “If disciplinary offences were committed, they were committed by all of us and the party must announce a formula so that the membership of the party will know when there will be internal elections of the party and how the party intends to win the local government elections.

He said he and Warner are convinced that "any properly held national congress or national assembly will not agree to suspend us or expel us because the UNC will be in a worst position if we are suspended or expelled, to win any election in T&T".