UNC internal election Jan. 24, 2010: Panday

United National Congress (UNC) political leader Basdeo Panday has said that the party's internal elections will be held on January 24, 2010 as planned.

There are rumours that the vote would be cancelled to facilitate discussions among UNC members on constitutional reform.

And UNC deputy leader Jack Warner has written to members of the national executive warning of legal action if they proceed to hold the elections without addressing several pressing concerns.

Among them is the legality of the the executive itself and the integrity of the party's list of financial members. He has also advised them that the congress held on Oct. 25 was not legal.

Read the story: Warner threatens legal action against UNC

The rumours suggest that the UNC might be considering the postponement of the internal vote to hold consultations with its constituencies to get the views of its members on constitutional reform.

In talks this week with Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Panday agreed to support constitutional reform and Manning asked for the UNC to submit proposals in writing.

Party sources have said the UNC position is that constitutional issue is too important to be put on the back burner so it was considering a recommendation to shelve plans for the vote for now and go ahead with its meetings to get ideas of constitutional reform.

The sources said it was Panday who made the proposal to postpone the election and the national executive had agreed with the political leader.

But Panday dismissed that. He said the election will go ahead as scheduled. And UNC deputy chairman Vasant Bharath also comfirmed that the election will be held on January 24, 2010.

Panday told reporters he has no deal with Manning as claimed by critics and Congress of the People (COP) leader Winston Dookeran, who is asking people to reject the "Manday Constitution".

The graphic below, which is circulating on the Internet, has been created by critics who have said there is a secret deal between Panday and Manning to seal a deal on the constitution.
The former prime minister said, "I do not know that there is any agreement between Mr Manning and I about any constitution. It’s sad. It was a very great opportunity for him to say what his position on constitutional reform and what their draft was."