Happy 47th Birthday T&T!

Internet problems

It's nice to take a break but very frustrating when you lose contact with the world through poor Internet facilities. So unfortunately we have to hold on our blog until we get back to Toronto on Sept. 5.

Thanks for your support and understanding!

The JYOTI team

PNM will win landslide in snap election, but Manning's unpopularity soars: Poll

A new public opinion poll by ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre, University of the West Indies, St Augustine for the Sunday Guardian gives the governing People's National Movement (PNM) a runaway lead in an election if the vote were held today.

The survey suggests that the PNM would get 66 per cent support in an election as opposed to 4 per cent for the UNC and 8 per cent for COP, the Congress of the People. A full 17 per cent didn't know who to vote for in an election.

The figures show a dramatic decline in opposition support since the general election of 2007 when the combined opposition polled more than 50 per cent of the popular vote, but won only 15 of the 41 seats in Parliament.

If the latest poll results are translated into voting reality the PNM would win a constitutional majority that would allow Prime Minister Patrick Manning to amend the constitution or pass a new one without any help from the opposition. It means also that he would have no need to consult with anyone on such issues.

But while the support for the party is very high, Manning himself is not doing well. The poll suggests that an overwhelming number of respondents - 57 per cent - were highly critical of the PNM political leader.

According to the poll citizens are angry with Manning for "his apparent blatant failure to recognise that charity begins at home".

Only 3 per cent believe he is doing an "excellent" job with a total of 57 per cent saying his performance to date has been either poor or extremely poor. The anti-Manning criticism includes:

• He needs to do more for the country
• The country is in a mess
• He is not successful in dealing with the real issues of the country
• He is not doing anything to help citizens of the country
• He pays more attention to other Caribbean countries rather than his own
• Money is not being spent in the right areas

Only 2% think Panday is doing an excellent job, 72% disaprove of him

A new poll suggests that 41 per cent of respondents believe that opposition leader Basdeo Panday's performance is not satisfactory.

It gives him only a 2 per cent "excellent" rating with 72 per cent saying his performance is either poor or extremely poor. Panday got a 7 per cent "good" rating and 19 per cent of respondents believe he is doing a fair job.

But Prime Minister Patrick Manning didn't do all that well either. His "excellent" rating is only 3 per cent, one percentage point higher than Panday's and only 11 per cent think he is doing an "good" job.

His disapproval rating - poor or extremely poor performance - is 57 per cent.

The poll indicated that part of Panday's unpopularity stems from his inability or reluctance to end in-fighting in the party or control his MPs.

The poll also suggests that Panday is making more political enemies rather than uniting the opposition forces.

A total of 62 per cent of those surveyed said the former prime minister is a stumbling block to opposition unity.

Read the full details

Ag. DPP recommended to be High Court judge

The Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) has recommended to President Max Richards that Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Carla Brown-Antoine be appointed as a judge of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago.

The JLSC had recommended Brown-Antoine for appointment to the vacant post of DPP but Prime Minister Patrick Manning objected to that and the commission agreed to leave her in the acting position until it finds an acceptable candidate.

So far it has not found a suitable DPP candidate so if the president appoints Brown-Antoine to the High Court, the DPP's position would remain vacant.

Read the story: PM Manning uses veto Read the story: Manning changes his mind...

Brown-Atoine's mother, social activist Hazel Brown, told the Trinidad Guardian, “One of the things about being a judge is that it means being out of the reach of the political directorate".

The judiciary’s court protocol and information manager, Jones P. Madeira, said in a news release Brown-Antoine is one of three persons recommended to be high court justices.

The others are Justices Andre Mondesir and Ronnie Boodoosingh. Mondesir and Boodoosingh are already serving on the Bench as temporary judges, and each has more than 15 years’ experience in the legal profession.

Brown-Antoine is a national scholarship winner from St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain. She attained her LLB from University of the West Indies and her legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Since 1989, Browne-Antoine has been with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Jack changes course, will now focus on PM Manning

Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner is changing course in his political mission.

Instead of going after United National Congress (UNC) leader Basdeo Panday, he now intends to direct his energy at Prime Minister Patrick Manning to make ensure that the People's National Movement (PNM) administration presents a budget that benefits the people.

Warner told the Trinidad Express there are critical national issues that must take precedence, such as crime, poor infrastructure and problems in the health care system.

These, he said, would be the issues on which he will focus during public meetings.

He said he is leaving it up to the people to judge Panday. "Let Mr Panday talk. Mr Panday will burn himself out because of his foolishness," Warner told the paper.

"I think Mr Panday was hoping that I would make him a victim. He expected me to remove the bail for his wife," Warner said.

Earlier this week Warner pulled back from taking Panday to court over statements he made on national radio that suggested that the $309,000 bailout cheque Warner handed to the Chaguanas Borough Corporation might be connected to drug lords who want control of Chaguanas.

He said he decided to put party first after three top UNC members appealed to him to hold his hands on going after "the chief".

Panday's response to the gesture was to suggest that Warner did not have a case and he stated that he would not be "terrorised" by anyone. And he was angry with UNC General Secretary Fazal Karim, and MPs Chandresh Sharma and Tim Gopeesingh for appealing to Warner to halt the legal proceedings.

Panday insisted that they acted on their own without his approval and said he would seek answers from them about it when he returns home from a two-week overseas visit, which includes a stop in New York for the 20th anniversary celebration of GOPIO, the Global Organisation for People of Indian Origin.

He declared that Warner is irrelevant to the politics of the UNC.

Read the story: "...Bas says UNC members did a stupid thing."

Warner said based on recent development and his own agenda of effecting change in the UNC he would change direction and fight his battles with Panday at the executive level.

Warner and his colleagues Ramesh L. Maharaj and Winston "Gypsy" Peters are facing a series of disciplinary charges, which they say have no merit.

However, as a result of the pending charges none of them can contest the party's internal elections, which are likely to be held in October. Warner is contemplating an injunction to stop the election under those conditions, but he told this blog that he knows it will only be a short term measure.

He said Panday must step down as UNC leader if the party wants to have any hope of seriously challenging the PNM in a general election.

Jack gets down to work in Couva North

Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner's foray into Couva North has upset many United National Congress (UNC) supporters loyal to party leader Basdeo Panday, but that's not stopping him from doing what he set up to do.

Warner set up an office in Panday's constituency to deal with problems facing constituents two weeks ago. On Thursday he met with scores of people and provided assiatnce in a variety of ways from school books for children to medication for people with cardiac and other medication problems.

A Couva North resident who got medication for his heart problems told reporters Warner should open more offices because people are desperately seeking help.

Warner said in his interaction with people so far he has seen a great need for housing, among other things and suggested that a part of the problem is that the people are not PNM members or supporters.

Nagessar refuses to move, says he's being victimized

The political sideshow between Jack Warner and Basdeo Panday is developing into a serious feud involving the two top officials of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation - Mayor Natasha Navas and her deputy, Orlando Nagessar.

The problem started when the borough passed a resolution earlier this week to end all political meetings are the offices of the corporation. The move was aimed at Panday, who had been using Nagessar's office to meet residents of Chaguanas West.

The feud move one step further on Friday when Navas instructed Nagessar to remove his personal belongings from the office, which is to be used by administrative. But Nagessar, who is a strong Panday ally, refused, saying he won't budget until he gets a written eviction notice.

He told the Trinidad Express the mayor has so far not told him about the change. He said he learned about it from the chief executive officer who "told me that the mayor gave him a letter to deliver to me...I did not get the letter. I am not moving out until I get something in writing."

On Thursday when the matter of the office came up at a meeting of the council four councillors walked out but Navas insists that the resolution to use the office for administrative staff had already been passed and there is no need to reconvene the meeting.

Nagessar claims that that Navas and Warner have teamed up to victimize him as part of the fight with opposition Leader Basdeo Panday.

"I have occupied that office for ten years and had no problems. So I don't understand what she is talking about now. This is purely discrimination and victimisation," he told the paper.

"People come to my office daily for assistance, and I am not allowing this to prevent me from meeting them. I will come to work on Monday and operate from the trunk of my van," he said.

Electricty rate hike cruel: Panday

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has called a hike in electricity rates "a cruel and heartless act" imposed on citizens who have been heavily burdened with food costs that have risen by 300 per cent over the past seven years.

In a news release, Panday said the Manning administration has become deaf to the needs of the population and "cannot impose an additional cost on an already financially troubled people with the implementation of an increase by the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC)."

He said the timing is a slap in the face to a country which is currently experiencing a financial crisis, because of the global economic downturn.

"Doesn’t the government understand that this move will have a multiplier effect and that every citizen will now have to pay more at the grocery store and more for services?" he asked.

Panday added, "I am aware that the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) has made their recommendations, but it is up to government to adhere to them. If this government has an ounce of compassion for its people it will hold its hand on this increase."

He said the audacity of the Minister of Public Utilities to say the increase is minor shows how out of touch the Manning regime is with the average person in this country who has to struggle with spiralling crime, unemployment, rampant discrimination, rising food prices and the lack of basic amenities.

"Statistics will show that a third of the population is living below the poverty line. These are the people who depend solely on the welfare system for survival. With inflation and other pressures how are people going to carry on?" the former prime minister asked.

He said government agencies must recognize that they have a social responsibility to achieve and maintain a stable national economic environment.

Read the Express report: Businesses not worried...

Jack puts party first, halts slander proceedings against Bas

Jack Warner decided Thursday to put the interests of his party first and hold off taking legal action against United National Congress (UNC) leader, Basdeo Panday.

The UNC deputy leader and MP for Chaguanas West made the decision after extensive consultations with his legal team, which includes British QC Alan Newman.

The consultations were on three specific issues:

• Legal proceedings against Panday for libel in respect of the alleged defamatory statements Panday made about Warner
• The "unlawful and illegal decisions" of the UNC's National Executive to refer the three MPs to the Disciplinary Committee of the Party
• The threatened action by the National Executive to institute disciplinary action against two councilors of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation

In a media release Thursday Warner said on the two other issues the advice of his legal team fortifies the public position he has taken on these matters.

The most critical issue was the proposed legal action against Panday for a statement Panday made on radio suggesting that the $309,000 bailout Warner gave the Chaguanas Borough corporation might have a drug connection.

Warner said several top UNC members had been in touch with him for him to hold his hands on the legal action against Panday. They include MPs Tim Gopeesingh and Chandresh Sharma, and UNC General Secretary, Fazal Karim, who all sit on the National Executive

Warner said based on the pleas from such high-ranking UNC members and despite his legal right and option to proceed with legal action, he has put the interest of the party first and decided not to go ahead with the lawsuit.

"I have given serious consideration to the numerous pleas made to me by members of the Party. Since I have always put the interests of the membership of the Party and the Party first in my actions, I have decided to hold my hands and not to proceed to commence the action for libel against Mr. Panday, but without prejudice to my future legal rights in respect of this matter," the Chaguanas West MP said.

He added, "I am not interested in getting personal gain at the expense of the Party and I have always dedicated my time and every resource which I possess to the Party.

"In coming to this decision, I have also considered that I shall not be distracted from effecting change within the Party. This change is mandatory if the Party is to win the General Elections.

"Based on the actions of the Prime Minister and his Party this country needs to be rescued from the current Government," he said.

Warner said with respect of the other issues relating to the action of the National Executive against the three MPs - including himself - and the threatened action against two councillors, he has instructed his team of lawyers "to take the necessary steps to use the law to protect the membership and interests of the Party."

He said he has a duty "to ensure that the pristine glory of the Party is restored and this can only be achieved if early internal elections of the Party are fixed and they are conducted in a free and fair manner."

Warner added, "This change in the Party is essential if the Party is to be the political vehicle to unite the country to win the next General Elections."

Warner lawsuit: Bas says UNC members did "a stupid thing"

Basdeo Panday is upset with members of the United National Congress (UNC) executive who intervened to get Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner to halt legal proceedings against Panday for slander.

Warner agreed Thursday to stop the proceedings without prejudice, meaning that he can pursue the action at a later date, after UNC General Secretary Fazal Karim and MPs Chandresh Sharma and Tim Gopeesingh appealed to him not to go ahead with plans to sue. Warner said he put party first and heeded their pleas.

But Panday told the Trinidad Express Thursday the move by his party's executive members was stupid.

"If they did that, they did a very stupid thing and they did it without my permission or authority," Panday said in a telephone interview with the Express.

The opposition leader insisted that Warner has no case against him, adding that "Jack Warner is irrelevant to the politics of the UNC, he is only relevant to the politics of the PNM".

He said, "There was no need to bargain with anybody because there is nothing to bargain for."

Panday is in New York as a guest of GOPIO, the Global Organization for People of Indian Origin, which is celebrating is 20th anniversary.

He told the paper when he gets home he intends to interrogate those who appealed to Warner, to find out why they took that action.

Gopeesingh and Sharma explained to the Express that they spoke with Warner because they were concerned about the impact the battle is having. They also confirmed that they did not act on Panday's behalf.

"I called Mr Warner on Tuesday in my personal capacity, not on behalf of the party and not on behalf of anyone," Gopeesingh told the paper.

He added, "I told him this is going on too long and if he has the same common mission as we have of removing the PNM, we need to put a stop to this issue and for him to consider using other alternative dispute mechanisms which he is capable of doing by virtue of his international experience to deal with conflict."

But Sharma said he acted on behalf of his constituency executive and the people on the ground who are tired of the internal strife.

He told the paper he was overwhelmed with messages and phone calls from people asking him to speak with Warner to end the internal conflict.

Sharma said he hopes Warner also drops any other legal action he intended to take against the UNC executive. The actions include the party's decision to send Warner, Ramesh L. Maharaj and Winston "Gypsy" Peters before a disciplinary committee and action against two councillors who helped ousted Suruj Rambachan as mayor of Chaguanas.

Indian PM praises GOPIO's interest in Indian community

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has sent a message to the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), praising the group for promoting the interests of the overseas Indian community.

"GOPIO has emerged as a leading organisation providing a unique platform to the vast Indian overseas community for promoting their interests and realising their aspirations," Singh said in a message on the 20th anniversary celebrations of GOPIO being held in New York from Aug 20 to 23.

Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday is among GOPIO guests attending the event, which includes a convention Friday on the theme: People of Indian Origin: Strengthening Global Connections.

The Indian leader said GOPIO has contributed significantly in the process of engagement between the government of India and the Indian diaspora.

"The bonds between the motherland and people of Indian origin across the globe are valuable and precious. It is my hope that through such events, they will continue to flourish," the prime minister said.

GOPIO International was founded at the Global Convention of People of Indian Origin in New York in 1989. It is now a global organisation engaged in promoting the interests of people of Indian origin (PIOs).

Former US ambassador to India Frank Wisner will be the keynote speaker at Friday's conference.

Another full-day diaspora conference will be held on Saturday on the theme: The Indian Diaspora: Challenges and Opportunities in the New Millennium. Another is titled: The Living Pioneers - Global Perspective of Indian Elders, which takes place Saturday morning.

A networking session titled The Next Generation will also be held Saturday afternoon.

UN jefes appeal to Jack to spare Bas on slander case

A report in Thursday's Trinidad Express says several high-ranking members of the United National Congress (UNC) are pleading with deputy leader Jack Warner not to sue the party's leader, Basdeo Panday.

And the paper says Warner has agreed to consider putting the matter on hold. "They believe that a lawsuit would generally damage the party, but would really damage Panday personally," Warner told the paper.

Warner said two senior parliamentarians and a top executive member are among those who have appealed to him to halt the legal action.

"They do not believe that it would be in the interest of either the party, Mr Panday and some ways even me, because at the end of the day, in this kind of situation nobody is a winner. We are all losers and that is what is guiding their actions," Warner said.

Warner has hired a powerful legal team headed by Panday's former lawyer, British QC Allan Newman, to deal with the matter. His legal advisers include Ramesh L. Maharaj and Anand Ramlogan who were bitter rivals as candidates for opposing parties in the 2007 general election.

The action stems from a statement Panday made on radio in reference to Warner's $309,000 bailout cheque to the Chgauanas Borough Corporation to keep 54 contract workers employed until the end of September.

Panday said Warner should be more open about the source of the funds and suggested that the money might even be from drug dealers who want to control the borough. Warner called it the "lowest of lows" and announced last Friday that he would seek legal redress.

Now, top UNC personnel are suggesting a truce. Warner said the party jefes are asking him to find "some mechanism whereby this thing could be resolved, and I have told them that I would consider it."

He could consider putting the matter on hold for a while without prejudice to his right to take action in the future.

The Chaguanas West MP will meet with his attorneys Thursday to discuss the latest developments and make a final decision.

He has said in the the past and again in talking with the Express that taking Panday to court does not give him any pleasure. He told this blog he genuinely loves Panday but believes his leader is misguided and has lost the sense of caring that made him a great man.

"Mr Panday had done a lot for the country, but I maintain that he has overstayed his time. I have no intention of doing anything to destroy his legacy. But I was offended over what he said. I remain open," he told the paper.

If Warner proceeds with the case and wins, Panday could lose his parliamentary seat and be fired as opposition leader. Warner saved Panday that embarrassment two years ago when he paid the outstanding fine Panday was owing in the Ken Gordon libel suit.

"I will not be terrorised!" Panday

While top United National Congress (UNC) personnel and two MPs are asking Jack Warner not to pursue legal action against Basdeo Panday, the UNC leader is sounding defiant as ever.

"Nobody will terrorise me. That I can assure you of. I will not be terrorised. I am not made of that kind of metal. Some people may feel that money can buy everything, but money can't buy class," Panday told the Trinidad Express from New York Thursday.

He is there with his wife, Oma, as guests of GOPIO, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, to take part in the group's 20th anniversary celebration.

Panday told the paper he is not bothered by the threat of legal action and suggested that it is part of Warner's plan to advance his personal agenda on behalf of the People's National Movement (PNM).

"Let me tell you what is Mr Warner's strategy, to get me into a running war with him, to have this in the papers every day so that he could fulfill his promise to the PNM to destabilise the UNC, but I won't let him," he told the paper.

He also spoke about his expulsion from the office of the deputy mayor of Chaguanas, which he was using to meet people from the Chaguanas West constituency as "surrogate father."

The borough passed a resolution this week to end political meetings in its offices, effectively shutting down Panday's meeting place.

"God help this country if such people should ever get into power," Panday told the paper, referring to the mayor. "My job is to attend to all the people of Trinidad and Tobago and I will find ways and means of doing so," he insisted, adding that he "the internal strife in the party makes him stronger.

"I am not tired. I am here to serve the people and I have been doing that for a long time and I will continue to do so, and desperate men who are hungry for power will not stop me from doing my duty."

Hurricane Bill takes aim at Bermuda

The government of Bermuda is urging everyone on the island to take all precautions as Hurricane Bill moves toward the tiny country in the Atlantic. Bill is now a category four storm, with sustained winds reaching 140 knots.

The latest forecast is for landfall on Saturday, but officials are warning people to be prepared. Acting Minister of Home Affairs, Walter Roban, said on Wednesday due to shifting time lines of the storm’s approach, all preparations should be finalised by Friday afternoon.

"All forecast models show that the storm will pass very close to Bermuda on Saturday afternoon. The radar clearly shows that it’s a massive hurricane and we are certain to feel its effects as early as Thursday afternoon with high surf and increased wind conditions, particularly along the south shore." Roban said.

He told people to stay away from beaches and to refrain from surfing. "We are expecting an increase in surf conditions, so as a public safety precaution I am encouraging all residents and visitors to refrain from swimming at the beaches."

Click here for live tracking of Hurricane Bill

Jackson's lawyer to be charged with manslaughter: FOXnews

FOXnews.com is reporting that Michael Jackson’s personal physician will be charged with manslaughter within the next two weeks, quoting a law enforcement source.

The agency said its source initially said Dr. Conrad Murray could be arrested as soon as next Wednesday — but investigators have decided to execute one more search warrant, likely at a Los Angeles pharmacy, next week in an attempt to gather more evidence against him.

FOX said it's expected that authorities would arrest Murray after that.

Murray, who was born in Grenada and lived in Trinidad where he got his early education, is only one of the doctors facing criminal charges in connection with the pop icon's death on June 25.

FOX said a law enforcement source said Jackson’s longtime dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, will face charges related to medical malpractice.

It said investigators are still building their case against Klein, and he will not be arrested for at least another two weeks.

FOX quoted Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, as denying the reports.

"Until police complete their investigation and bring it to our office, there is no way to know what charges may be filed and against whom," she told the agency.

Jack takes Bas to court

Jack Warner has kept his promise to take former prime minister Basdeo Panday to court for slander and he has retained Panday's former lawyer British Queen’s Counsel, Alan Newman.

Newman arrived in Trinidad Tuesday to head Warner's legal team, which comprises Anand Ramlogan and On Lalla.

Newman represented Panday at his trial on three charges of failing to declare his London bank account to the Integrity Commission in 2006. Panday was found guilty on April 24, 2006, and sentenced to two years in prison but the conviction was overturned on the basis that it may have been politically influenced.

The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial, but Panday challenged this in the Privy Council. In London, Panday was represented by Richard Clayton QC. The Law Lords ordered Panday to face a second trial, but he has filed a judicial review case challenging the retrial.

Newman also represented the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) in its case against the Government over the delay in granting a broadcast licence to Central Broadcasting Services Limited.

Warner's lawsuit against Panday stems from a statement Panday made on a radio talk show in which he suggested that the $309,000 cheque that Warner presented to the Chaguanas Borough Corporation earlier this month may have come from drug lords seeking to control Chaguanas.

Warner called in the "lowest of lows" and said he has reluctantly decided on legal redress because Panday's comments have hurt his local and international reputation.

Read the story: Jack says he'll take Panday to court...

Panday and Warner have been at loggerheads over Warner's call for change in the UNC. Panday has accused Warner of "selling out" to the PNM and the UNC executive has summoned Warner before a disciplinary committee to answer more than two dozen charges under the broad headline of bringing the party into disrepute.

Read the story: Jack sent to UNC disciplinary committee

Warner has said the executive lacks the moral and legal authority to make such a demand.

The legal action against Warner has important political implications. If Panday is convicted he could lose his Parliamentary seat and the president could rescind his appointment as leader of the opposition.

Chaguanas mayor throws out Panday; no more political meetings in borough's offices

When United National Congress (UNC) leader Basdeo Panday appointed himself "surrogate father" of Chaguanas West, he promised that he would meet with people in the constituency held by MP Jack Warner every Thursday.

But unlike Warner who has opened a full political office in Panday's Couva North constituency, Panday was using the office of Orlando Nagessar, deputy mayor of Chaguanas to meet with constituents.

The Chaguanas Borough Corporation voted Tuesday to ban political party business from being conducted at any office belonging to the Corporation.

That means after two meetings in Nagessar's office Panday has been shut out and will have to find another venue if he wants to continue his political meetings.

Panday demands referendum on CCJ as final TT appeal court

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is demanding a referendum on whether Trinidad and Tobago should abolish the Privy Council as its final court of appeal.

In a media statement Panday said, "Replacing the Privy Council with the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) is dependant on the confidence of the people, but I want the Prime Minister to justify to this nation if and why we should get rid of the Privy Council."

Panday noted statements attributed to CCJ Judge David Hayton in which Hayton is quoted as saying he doesn't see the country adopting the CCJ until the Opposition Leader ceases to hold that post. Hayton is also reported to have said the CCJ would probably never replace the Privy Council given the political landscape of Trinidad and Tobago.

Panday said Hayton’s statements have tainted the CCJ and "he continues to preside over domestic matters, hence the need to take the facts to the people so that they may understand what is happening in the judiciary in this country."

He added, "One wonders given Justice Hayton’s comments whether a UNC politician or sympathiser can expect justice under the CCJ? How can we trust the CCJ?

"We have also seen where the conduct of the Chief Magistrate and other high office holders has brought the justice system into disrepute. Who can say that this would not happen again?"

The former prime minister said the nation "has lost confidence because of government’s interference and attempts to manipulate the system for their own political objectives."

He said it is not enough for the Prime Minister to say we should replace the Privy Council with a local equivalent. "We need to be sure that the final court of appeal is independent and free from political influence. Given Hayton’s comments it is clear that the CCJ is neither independent nor free from political influence."

Manning considering TT Ministry of justice to tackle crime

Patrick Manning told supporters of his People's National Movement (PNM) in Sangre Grande Monday night his government is giving active consideration to introducing a Ministry of Justice as part of the proposed reform of the Constitution.

The prime minister said the proposed ministry would deal with the Judiciary and aspects of the crime problem in the country. And he said the Judiciary would have to account to the proposed ministry.

"A Ministry of Justice has the responsibility to provide all that the Judiciary requires to be able to exercise independently their independent function…and the best way we believe that could now be done is by way of a Ministry of Justice," Manning said.

However he admitted that there are some dangers in the proposal, especially the possibility of political encroachment on the independence of the juridical system.

He said the way to go about this is in collaboration with and on the basis of discussions with the Judiciary and the agreed position must be enshrined in the Constitution and it must be enshrined in law.

Under his proposal the prison system would be removed from the National Security Ministry and put under the Ministry of Justice. He said the new ministry could intervene to deal with the country's crime problem.

He also slammed critics of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) who are opposed to having the Trinidad-based court become the final court of appeal, replacing the London-based Privy Council.

Opposition leader Basdeo Panday has called for a referendum on the matter and has suggested that there court be bias in the CCJ, citing comments attributed to one of the judges of the court.

Read the story: Panday demands referendum

Manning also spoke about reforms to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), noting that the proposal is for the DPP to have exclusive jurisdiction in three areas:

• Where official secrets of the State are involved
• Where the crime of terrorism is involved
• In matters involving State to State relations

Crippling fear! A letter from DPTT leader Steve Alvaraez

Maracas beach development is reportedly contracted to a foreign contractor at a time when local contractors are struggling for survival, yet there is silence from the unions and local contractors.

Many citizens are unhappy about the state of our nation. The political party that once piloted the Alien’s landholding Act and required that foreign businesses have majority local shareholders is now the party that has allowed the influx and influence of foreigners to our shores.

It seems as though there is a belief that local means sub standard. The puzzling factor, however, is the apparent silence from those affected.

Businesses are awaiting payment from government and are willing to wait while their foreign counterparts are paid and afraid to complain for fear that they might be blacklisted.

Politicians are afraid to comment on the failures of the government for fear of persecution or in some instances prosecution.

The average man on the street is living in fear of crime and political victimization. Businesses are fearful that they might lose their contracts.

Citizens clutch unto their Priority Bus Route passes, their CEPEP and URP contracts and their periodical invitations to cocktail events guardedly as they fear any attempt to speak about their dream for a better Trinidad & Tobago can be seen as disloyalty and ultimately lead to their economic and social demise.

This is the fear that has gripped Trinidad & Tobago.

Our businesses are silent, our unions are silent, and our media is silent as we bow to the dictates of a government that seems to dislike even its own supporters and citizens.

As we approach another anniversary of our independence, now is the time to stand up for the red, white and black.

Now is the time for all the brave, patriotic citizens of Trinidad & Tobago to say enough is enough.

The message must be clear: "This is not about politics....this is about saving Trinidad & Tobago."

We are not about to sit back and have our country’s resources delivered to foreigners once again. Not this time, never again. We must save our resources and wealth for the well being of our citizens, our children and our children’s children.

Say no to foreign influence and control of our nation’s resources.

Stand up now for T&T.

Steve Alvarez | Political Leader of The Democratic Party of Trinidad & Tobago

Pardon the interruption

You're probably wondering why we haven't put up any new content since Saturday morning.

Well we've been travelling away from Toronto and don't have the most reliable network connections. We'll try to keep our blog alive as best as we can, but may not be able to do it.

But we promise to be back at full speed from September 4.

Thanks for your support!

The JYOTI team

Jack says he will take Panday to court next week

Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner told United National Congress (UNC) supporters Friday night he will take Basdeo Panday to court next week to seek legal redress for public statements Panday made this week suggesting that there might be a link between Warner and drug lords.

Warner was incensed earlier this week when Panday suggested that the $309,000 he presented to the Chaguanas Borough Corporation might have come from drug lords. The MP and deputy UNC leader gave the borough the money to pay the wages for 54 contract workers who had been laid off because of a budget shortfall.

"Mr Warner said it was a grant, where did the money come from? Was the grant made available to Mr Warner or the corporation? These are extremely important questions," Panday said on a radio program.

He also noted that it's important for the country to know whether the money was coming from drug lords seeking to control the borough.

Read the story: Warner threatens to sue Panday...

Warner played a tape recording of Panday's comments. He told supporters he is not forgiving him for slandering him.

Warner said he has reluctantly put the issue in his the hands of his English attorney Alan Newman, QC, who arrives Tuesday to begin proceedings by next Friday against Panday regarding the allegations.

"Never in my wildest expectations did I ever think such a day would have ever occurred as my taking Bas to court. I left that for the government. But Bas has now gone too far and, for me, enough is enough!" he said.

Warner was speaking at a public meeting attended by about 2,000 people following the opening of a private political office in Panday's Couva North constituency.

He said Friday was just the beginning of what's to come. "What you are seeing in Couva North today will blossom and grow and extend to other constituencies as Couva South, Cumuto Manzanilla, Princess Town North, Oropouche West and Caroni East, to name a few"

He invited everyone to "come on board on this vehicle, this Platform For Change. No longer will you be a spectator to change but instead now you will choose change and you will stand up and be counted."

Warner said he had come to Couva North not to lecture anyone, but to listen to what constituents have to say. "We in Trinidad & Tobago are in a bad way, a very bad way indeed under Patrick Manning’s Government but we are in a worse way under the UNC as it is presently administered," he declared.

The Chaguanas West MP said what is most clear is that today the UNC in its present state cannot remove Manning and he said everyone must share the blame for that.

He said no one should delude himself/herself into believing that the UNC can fix itself based "on the whims and fancies of one man – the Chief - the man who has not been seen in some parts of this constituency for more than 30 years."

Warner was adamant that Panday cannot fix the present crisis. "This is a new world today, this is 2009 and not 1989! Trust in the UNC leadership today is at an all time low," he pointed out.

He said the problems facing the party represent only the tip of the iceberg and added that worse is to come unless the UNC membership moves to stop "Panday's runaway political train".

He acknowledged that as Prime Minister, Panday had done a lot for the people and the nation with limited resources, but noted that today Panday is tarnished and has lost the trust of the people.

"There is no politician alive today whom I know that could be as charming and who can light up a room by his sheer presence as Basdeo Panday. But Bas’ politics is no longer relevant today and it will never ever get us back into Government!" Warner said.

"The time has come for a new kind of politics, a politics that takes care of the people first," he said.

"My brothers and sisters, friends and foes alike, today our Party, like our country, faces serious challenges. And as such it cannot be business as usual.

"Let us recognise these challenges for what they are and together let us work to overcome them. Let us take Obama's statement, "Yes you can" one step further to "Yes, we will" and, in doing so, let us create a Party and a country for all generations to come."

Warner says he spent $3M paying Panday's personal bills

Jack Warner answered Basdeo Panday Friday night in connection with the $30 million Panday says Warner collected on behalf of the United National Congress (UNC) for the 2007 general election without providing a proper account for it.

It's a nagging question that has come up over and over again. And when the UNC summoned Warner to answer disciplinary charges it was one of the more than two dozens issues listed.

Warner has always dismissed it as nonsense but on Friday night he spoke about it as he went on the attack at a public meeting at Jerry Junction, Carapichaima, in Panday's Couva North constituency.

"If any man had ever given me that kind of money I would have had to account to the man for it and not to Panday!" Warner declared. "But even if what Bas is saying were to make any sense, why should a man give that kind of money to me and not to the leader?" he asked.

Warner told the meeting that Panday's allegation has done "untold damage" to his reputation. "I have had cause to explain this embarrassment to my international friends and corporations and they all have been dismissive of Bas’ foolishness," he said.

"But what has been the final straw for me has been Bas’ inference on a radio program on Monday that because I offered financial assistance to 54 retrenched workers at Chaguanas Borough Corporation that I am a drug lord!

“Me! A man who spent over $3 million on Bas alone in 2007—paying his legal bills, his international travels, paying his court debt to Ken Gordon, paying for rental cars for his children, paying for his computers and Internet services at his home and the list goes on and on.

“I never wanted to disclose these things because I consider them to be very private. But, tonight I feel pained, hurt and aggrieved...How come all the money I have spent on him did not make me a drug lord at that time?

“How come the $1 million bail I am holding on my building for his wife, Oma, for the last four years is not drug money? If I am a drug lord, as he has inferred, why does he not remove his wife’s bail from this drug lord?

“How come all the money I have spent on him did not make me a drug lord at that time, but because I have chosen to assist poor people and their families in Chaguanas, I am a drug lord?

“When I wanted to help the Hindu Credit Union depositors some months ago, he rushed to say that it is mafia money. When I gave nine scholarships to the children of former sugar cane workers last month, he said I was using party funds though I have never even been the party treasurer.

"He even accused me of being a PNM agent... but to accuse me of being a drug lord is the lowest of the lows."

And he offered some advice: "I ask all on UNC’s executive, who cherish their homes and their little ‘kakada’ in the bank to publicly disassociate themselves from Bas’ recklessness,” Warner said.

He had one final note on that. "Should they fail to do so, I promise publicly here tonight, in Couva North, that I will sue all of them individually and collectively and the chips will fall wherever they fall."

Deputy Mayor Nagessar loses office in Chaguanas Borough

Chagaunas Mayor Natasha Navas has closed the office of deputy mayor of Orlando Nagessar, effectively blocking United National Congress leader Basdeo Panday from using the office as a political meeting place.

Panday met Chaguanas West constituents at the office on two successive Thursdays and had promised to be there every Thursday to meet with and hear concerns of people in Jack Warner's constituency, which he has adopted as "surrogate father".

Warner spoke about the matter at Friday night's political meeting in Panday's Couva North constituency where he opened an office and will begin meeting constituents starting Saturday morning.

The office, he said, had a staff of three, and would be open five days a week, and deal with all issues, personal, political and equal opportunity matters.

Commenting on Nagessar's office he noted that only in the city of Port of Spain the deputy mayor had an exclusive office.

"The Deputy Mayor of Arima has no office. The Deputy Mayor of San Fernando has no office. The Deputy Mayor of Point Fortin has no office but the Deputy Mayor has an office for Bas to meet the constituents of Chaguanas West," he said.

Warner said the space used by Nagessar would now be allocated to the councilors who would each have work stations to do their work and to meet their constituents.

First tropical storm of the season heads for Caribbean

The first tropical storm of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season could hit several islands in the north-east Caribbean by early next week.

The National Hurricane Centre says a tropical storm watch may be required for parts of the Leeward Islands on Saturday noting that on its current course, Tropical Storm Ana is forecast to pass close to or make landfall on Anguilla, Tortola and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands early next week.

The centre of the storm is expected to pass 33 miles east of Antigua and six miles east of Anguilla on Monday morning. On Monday night the track takes it 10 miles east of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and within 24 hours, 6 miles east of Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The margin of error for a two-day forecast is 164 miles while for for 24 hours it is 89 miles.

Ana is travelling at 16mph towards the west with sustained winds of 40mph. Tropical storm force winds extend outward from the centre up to 70 miles.

Track Ana at the National Hurricane Center

UDeCOTT inquiry will continue without Khan

The Commission on Enquiry into the construction sector and the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) will continue next month as scheduled, although it will be short of one commissioner.

Israel Khan quit this week after admitting that he had a "subconscious" bias against UDeCOTT executive chairman Calder Hart. Lawyers for UDeCOTT had threatened legal action to remove Khan if he did not resign.

Read the story: Khan quits UDeCOTT probe

A statement from the office of the Attorney General Friday made it clear that Khan's decision to leave was entirely his own. It said other commissioners "remain appreciative of the contribution that Mr Khan has made to the enquiry but understand the reasons which have led to his resignation and regret his departure before the commission has completed its enquiry.

“The remaining commissioners intend to continue and to complete the remaining hearing in accordance with their timetable namely September 7 to 12."

The commission now comprises chairman John Uff, Kenneth Sirju and Desmond Thornhill. Spokesman Wally Emmanuel-Cambridge said the relevant act allows the commission to continue, adding that evidence solicited from Khan would be handed over to Uff and the commission.

But Victor Hart, of Trinidad and Tobago Transparency International (TTTI), told local while the organization has not taken an official position on Khan’s issue, he had three concerns about the situation:

• The Piarco Airport inquiry had to be stopped when commissioner Peter Bynoe died because it did not have a quorum
• The Khan issue might also create an opportunity for people adversely affected by the commission’s findings to challenge this in court
• The Government might use Khan’s issue as a reason for not publishing the Uff commission’s findings

Hart said that although the PNM Government had promised in 2003 to publicise the Piarco inquiry report when it was sanitised, this was never done. He also noted that the report on the collapse of the Caroni river bridge was never published.

Deosaran wants aparliamentary committee to probe police

Independent Senator Ramesh Deosaran has made a written request for an "emergency meeting" of the Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament to discuss the discovery of a set of guns, ammunition and marijuana in the ceiling of the St Joseph Police Station.

In a letter to the Committee chairman Deosaran said the issue and the recent murder of a citizen on the compound of the West End police station in Diego Martin have "resulted in great shock and very deep concern across the population".

He said, "This shocking discovery demands enquiry, in the first instance, from several appropriate agencies," adding that the JSC initiate an appropriate hearing on this "discovery" with particular reference to, inter alia:

• Systems and procedures in place to guard the St Joseph Police Station, the West End Police Station, Diego Martin and other stations generally
• Systems and procedures to monitor the internal operations and physical items located in police stations, for example, the property room

Deosaran said given the statement by acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert that previously "there have been several problems at that St Joseph Police Station", an enquiry by this parliamentary body is further justified.

Deosaran stressed that the enquiry should focus more on systems and procedures, rather than trying to find any officer or officers guilty.

"As a matter of urgency, we should, within one half-day, call at least the acting Commissioner of Police and the relevant officers, then the Police Service Commission," Deosaran said.

"What we have been getting so far from the Police Service Commission, again in my respectful view, are generally vague or quite cryptic responses, as evidenced from our last meeting with them," Deosaran said, adding: "As a parliamentary committee, we should be able to delve more deeply into relevant matters and be better prepared to examine the Service Commission when they appear before us."

Chairman of the committee Pennelope Beckles told the Trinidad Edpress Friday that she wanted to hold meetings during the current parliamentary recess, but members were not interested. She said she would have to speak with members to give their views on such a meeting and to determine whether she could get a quorum.

CLICO shuts down main branch offices without notice

CLICO shut down three of its top branches in Trinidad Friday, locking out about 100 of the insurance company's sales agents and staff at St Clair and St James and Valpark,

There was no warning about the move and employees only learned about it when they reported for work and found the offices locked.

Small signs posted on the premises announced that the offices had been closed until further notice.

The three offices were considered to be the most profitable of the 30 branches that the company operates in the country.

Employees told the Trinidad Express they the company gave no reasons for closing the branch offices and expressed "shock" at the move.

They told the paper customers at the branches had been complaining they had not received their matured deposits from the company.

On Monday Central Bank Governor Ewart Williams told reporters that Cabinet has approved $5 billion to rescue CLICO and its depositors.

Warner moves in on Panday, opens office in Couva North

Jack Warner made his boldest move yet on Friday in a direct confrontation with United National Congress (UNC) leader Basdeo Panday when he formally opened a private political office in Panday's Couva North constituency.

It's in reaction to Panday's decision to open caretaker offices in Warner's Chaguanas West constituency, and in Tabaquite and Mayaro, which are represented by Warner's "RAMJACK" colleagues, Ramesh L. Maharaj and Winston "Gypsy" Peters.

Panday said the actions of the three dissidents have led to the decision to establish committees to look after the people in the three constituencies because the MPs had deserted the people who voted for them.

That's a charge each of them has dismissed, noting that the three targeted constituencies have the best representation in the country.

Warner has argued that Couva North has the worst representation and in his ads for Friday's meeting his Platform for Change is suggesting that the people would have relief of 33 years of neglect.

Panday first won Couva North in the 1976 general election and has won the seat in every election since then. But in 2007 his support plummeted from more than 14,000 votes to just under 9,000 and his popularity among Couva North supporters dropped from a high of 79 per cent in 2000 to just around 46 per cent in 2007.

Warner has said that's clear evidence that people want change, starting in Couva North.

Before finalising plans for the opening of the office Warner sought the advice of the Speaker of the House of Representatives who said while there is no rule that says he can't do it, there is the possibility of friction with the sitting MP.

The Speaker also advised Warner that his private office would not have access to government funding and resources that's normally available to each MP's official state-funded office.

Warner has promised to "deal" with Panday at Friday's meeting. Earlier in the week he threatened to sue Panday for suggesting that the $309,000 that Warner gave the Chaguanas Borough Corporation on Monday might be from drug dealers who want to control the corporation.

Read commentary below: Can Couva North be Panday's Waterloo?

Browne slams media for "inaccurate" reporting but admits helicopter contract is for TT$2.3B

The government of Trinidad and Tobago is denying media reports that its four new helicopters will cost more than two billion dollars and has accused the media of "inaccurate reporting".

Trade Minister Mariano Browne said Thursday the AW139 helicopters would cost US$93.5 billion, which is about TT$589 million, and not the $2.3 billion reported in the media last week. However he admitted that the overall contract for the aircraft would be more than TT$2 billion.

Browne was particularly critical of a Newsday editorial that demanded to know the details of the contract and asked whether the proper tendering rules were followed.

Read the editorial: Answers needed on helicopters

The Trinidad media and this blog reported the cost of the helicopter before the government made any mention of it. We learned about the contract from the website of the parent company of AgustaWestland.

This is what we reported on August 2, 2009:

"Italian defence and aerospace company Finmeccanica says its AgustaWestland subsidiary has won a contract worth US$348 million (TT$2.3 billion) to supply four AW139 helicopters to the Trinidad and Tobago government. The contract includes extensive training and logistical support for the country's Air Guard."

Our story stated that the average cost per helicopter is around US$25M, which is close to the minister's figure. And we also reported that the balance of the contract would be for training and logistics, which the minister said is accurate.

Read the story: Manning gov't buying four helicopters for $2.3 billion

Browne said the government pursued a rigorous selection and tendering process that included input and advice from a U.S. consultant with experience in procuring similar equipment for the US and other governments.

He was one of the people representing the Ministry of Finance on the procurement committee, which included the Attorney General, the National Security Minister and top representatives from the armed forces.

"The helicopters will not cost $2.1 billion, but will actually cost US$93.5 million or TT$589 million, less than quarter of the figure quoted in the (Newsday) editorial,” Browne said.

"The remainder of the cost will include training for 136 pilots, spare-parts, maintenance and the development of support facilities to accommodate the new equipment after it arrives.

“The contract requires the suppliers to provide up to seven years training and support for the new aircraft...All this money will not be paid at once to the supplier, and much of it will go towards other support systems and services needed for the helicopters," Browne said.

"The payment for those aircraft will be accounted for in the upcoming national budget while the other two aircraft will be delivered in 2011, and will be allocated in that year’s budget," he added.

He also talked about the specifications for the aircraft including the capacity to carry 15 passengers, a payload of up to 1500 kg and a flying range of 522 nautical miles.

Nothing the minister said contradicts the fact that government is investing US$348 million or more than TT$2 billion on the aircraft as reported by AgustaWestland and this blog.

The minister did not say why it is necessary to train 136 pilots for four helicopters or provide details of the kind of logistical support and spare parts needed to justify the expenditure of more than US$248 million or TT$1.5 billion.

TT budget set for September

The Trinidad and Tobago government will present its 2009/2010 budget in Parliament in September. And junior finance minister Mariano Browne told reporters Thursday it will include some measure of "phased expenditure".

Browne declined comment on details of the financial measure, telling reporters the package is still in its planning stages.

"The budget speech is in September and I’m sure that you’ll be able to get all of the details then," he said in reply to repeated questions about the budget.

He admitted that due to the deteriorating state of the economy the budget is not easy to plan and suggested the approach would be to ensure that the government keeps spending in line with revenue. "One could not spend more than one earned," he noted.

Browne did talk about one item - the spending on four helicopters, which will cost nearly US$100 million. He said half the purchase price for the aircraft would be allocated in the budget for the first two of the four ordered.

The other half would be in the next budget. He didn't say when the rest of the $TT2.3 billion contract would be paid.

The budget is also likely to contain a $272 million "stimulus plan" for small contractors to build build 92 community centres across the country in 2010 and an increase of $70 million to pay stipends for the the job training program.

Jack sent to UNC disciplinary committee

As expected the national executive of the United National Congress (UNC) decided Thursday to send Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner before the party's disciplinary committee to answer more than two dozen charges against him.

They are under the broad headline of "bringing the party into disrepute" and include Warner's vote with the People's National Movement (PNM) in Parliament, his public statements which have been critical of the party's leadership, "unauthorised" meetings under the UNC banner and the ousting of Chaguanas mayor, Suruj Rambachan.

Last month Warner told the executive it did not right the legal and moral right to demand answers from him.

Read the story: UNC summons Warner to explain actions
Read the story: Warner strikes back...

Last week the executive took the same action against two of Warner's colleagues in his movement for change, sending Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Winston "Gypsy" Peters to the disciplinary committee.

Warner has no intention of answering anything until the party provides him with full details of every charge, including minutes of meetings where certain decisions were taken. He plans to take legal action and has hired a powerful team to represent him, which includes a British Q.C.

He had one comment. "I will go now and have a drink and after say father forgive them for they know not what they do," Warner told the Trinidad Express after learning of the decision.

The executive also decided to summon councillors Felisha Isahak and Nalsingh Rambaran to explain why they voted against party guidelines to oust Rambachan as mayor of Chaguanas.

The UNC has accused both of them of conspiring with Warner and PNM members to kick out Rambachan.

Can Couva North be Panday's Waterloo?

When Jack Warner's Platform for Change bandwagon rolls into Jerry Junction Friday afternoon, it would be the strongest challenge yet to Basdeo Panday, the first time Panday has ever faced such a powerful broadside from one of his own.

Friday evening could be Panday's Waterloo.

Panday has been the MP for Couva North from the day he entered the House of Representatives in 1976 as the leader of the United Labour Front.

In 2000, when he was prime minister, Panday polled 14,383 votes with 79 per cent of the popular vote. A year later, in his fight with Ramesh L. Maharaj and his Team Unity he dropped two per cent but rose again to 14,157 votes in the 2002 election, although with a smaller percentage of the popular vote.

By 2007, however, following a prolonged internal battle that saw his anointed leader Winston Dookeran leave to form the Congress of the People (COP). Panday's support declined dramatically in the constituency that he held for decades.

He dropped nearly 6,000 votes, getting only 8,428 votes with PNM rookie Nal Ramsingh coming a close second with 5,249 votes and 29 per cent of the popular vote. In the absence of the COP's Hulsie Bhaggan, who polled 4,409 votes, Panday's safe seat was at risk for the first time; he won with less than 50 per cent of the popular vote.

It was a clear sign that Panday was becoming a shadow of the political warrior who fought and won countless battles on behalf the masses; the "Bloody Tuesday" hero, it seemed, had started to lose his sting.

It is against this background that Warner is challenging Panday on his own turf.

In 2007 the party had risen out of intensive care thanks to the efforts of a powerful united alliance that included Ramesh L. Maharaj and Warner. Together with Panday they mounted a credible campaign, proved every pollster wrong and won 15 seats.

It was a remarkable recovery for a party that had risen from the ashes. But the fighting that had plagued the UNC for more than a year took a heavy toll and chased away nearly 90,000 loyal supporters.

The party lost 89,231 votes and dropped 16.9 per cent in the five years between the elections. And all of it went to COP. It certainly didn't go to the PNM, which also lost 8,994 votes over the same time.

And COP did something more. Its campaign of new politics attracted a hidden constituency in addition to the disenchanted UNC and PNM supporters. Of the 148,041 votes it received, 49,816 were from "others" - those were didn't care to vote before and the young, upwardly mobile who had lost faith in the old politics of the PNM and the UNC and were looking for a viable alternative.

That constituency is still there and it's growing. And that's the one Warner is targeting, hoping that he could get the UNC to change in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century and unite all the opposition - including COP - into a single, viable alternative to the PNM.

It is the UNC's ticket to Whitehall and Warner is convinced that he is holding it in his hand with the people standing with him.

Read the story: Warner's manifesto for change honours Basdeo Panday

Warner has taken his cue from the message in the statistics, a clear signal that something had changed in the demographics and the traditional loyalties. COP had appealed to that silent constituency as well as nearly 90,000 traditional voters.

He tried without success to register that message inside the party and when the UNC refused to pay attention he went public, drawing the wrath of his leader and those loyal to Panday.

Read Warner's manifesto for Change

That has led to the current warfare, which is more intense than any political battle Panday has ever fought. Rather than walk away, Warner is going for the jugular and challenging Panday in the UNC heartland.

He already controls Chaguanas West and now he is moving in with full force into neighbouring Couva North with Panday unable to do anything about it.

And if his Friday launch can attract the thousands he expects it would send a clear signal that the 8,424 people who stained their fingers for Panday in 2007 might be having second thoughts about their MP's ability to continue to represent them and, more importantly, to lead the party.

For the first time Panday could be facing defeat from inside.

It would a tragedy for him and a most humiliating fall for a man who fought a valiant campaign from the trenches to Whitehall for four decades on behalf of the ordinary, dispossessed and disadvantaged.

It would be a double tragedy because when the political history is written, Panday's legacy would be obscured by the final battle for the soul of the party he founded and launched on a rainy day in 1989, inviting all to join a crusade to which people would flock not because of the colour of their skins but by the content of their minds.

Read the column: UNC turns 20 - Happy birthday

Jai Parasram | Toronto, Aug. 14, 2009