Ramesh, Gypsy to face UNC disciplinary committee

The national executive of the United National Congress (UNC) agreed Thursday that it will haul Ramesh L. Maharaj and Winston "Gypsy" Peters before a disciplinary committee, which could either suspend or expel them from the party. The two MPs were not present at Thursday's meeting.

However, the executive didn't take any action against Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner because Warner, who is in Nigeria on FIFA business, advised the party in advance that he would be unable to attend the executive meeting due to his prior overseas commitment.

UNC leader Basdeo Panday said because of Warner's willingness to present his case he would wait to hear from Warner before making any decision on his fate.

But the party decided that Maharaj, who is also out of the country, and Peters, have to answer to the committee.

Both of them, along with Warner, have been accused of bringing the party into disrepute and of voting with the PNM in Parliament.

Each of them has sent a letter to the UNC secretariat requesting copies of all relevant documents relating to charges against them so they could mount a defence. They have also told the party that the the executive is not properly constituted and therefore has no legal authority to make such decisions.

The so-called RAMJACK team has also threatened legal action against the party if it moves to expel them.

The disciplinary committee includes two of Panday's close allies: ousted Chaguanas mayor Suruj Rambachan and Orlando Nagassar, deputy mayor of Chagunas.

The executive was expected to deal with UNC councilors Felisha Isahack and Narsingh Rambarran who voted to oust Rambachan as Chaguanas mayor. But Panday told reporters that the party agreed to deal with the bigger national issues first.