"Hit the Road Jack" is new Panday theme

Basdeo Panday has a new campaign line, one borrowed from the late American entertainer, Ray Charles: "Hit the Road Jack, and don't you come back no more...".

It's directed at the deputy leader of the United National Congress (UNC), Jack Warner, a former close Panday ally but now classified as a dissident bent on destroying the party.

The opposition leader was on the warpath this week denouncing Warner for presenting a manifesto for change within the UNC.

“If they cannot abide by the decisions of the party, then they have a choice,” Panday said as he addressed supporters in central Trinidad

Panday said instead of trying to change the leadership of the party they should be addressing the critical issues facing the country like corruption, crime, poverty, and rising inflation.

“The country is in shambles but all they want is the leadership of the UNC,” he told supporters.

The former prime minister again apologised for bringing Maharaj back into the UNC fold ahead of the 2007 general election. But he explained that he did it in the interest of unity.

And he suggested that Warner has some kind of deal with Prime Minister Patrick Manning. “I do not know if Manning has something on Jack or if they have been promised something if the PNM wins the local government elections,” Panday told supporters.

Warner has said repeatedly that he has no quarrel with Panday and he certainly has no love for Manning. But he has said the UNC cannot win an election in its present state. That's why he has mounted a campaign to demand change, which includes internal elections, which are long overdue.

In his 'Manifesto for Change' he praises Panday for his contribution to Trinidad and Tobago and his dedication to uplifting the people through his decades of struggle. But at the same time he said it is time to change things, starting with getting the party's membership to endorse a new leadership.

The party has said now is not the time for that and has deferred the internal election until after the local elections, which are due not later that October this year.