Panday campaign hits a road bump; UNC women support Kamla

Confidential sources at the United National Congress (UNC) told JYOTI Wednesday the majority of members of the UNC's National Women's Arm Executive are distancing themselves from a document sent to local media stating the party's women's arms "unanimously and unreservedly" support UNC leader Basdeo Panday as "our candidate of our great party in the UNC party elections."

The document, which was also faxed to JYOTI, was unsigned.

Read the story: Unsigned statement says UNC women support Panday for UNC leader

However checks on Wednesday to determine the authenticity of the document revealed that four of the seven members of the Women's Executive say there was no discussion on that matter and that they did not agree on any such statement being issued to the national media.

The UNC sources said two of the executive members - Senator Jennifer Jones Kernahan and Panday's daughter, Oropouche West MP Mickela Panday - signed an earlier document from MPs and Senators endorsing Panday.

Read the story: MPs, Senators rally behind Panday for UNC leader
Related story: Sen. Oudit didn't endorse Panday, supports Kamla

According to the source, the four who are denying that they were part of the decision to issue a statement endorsing Panday are Vice Chairperson, Sharla Alexander; Secretary, Shanti Boodram; Assistant Secretary, Yvette Richards and Welfare Officer, Julie Dingba.

And in a stunning development the sources say all four executive members have indicated that they are willing to publicly announce that they will support Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The Siparia MP was not available for comment on the matter Wednesday evening. Her office said she was attending a fundraising dinner in central Trinidad.

Persad-Bissessar is one of three people who have announced they will run for the leadership of the UNC. The others are Tabaquite MP Ramesh L. Maharaj and Panday, who is the current UNC leader.

Unconfirmed reports from other UNC sources say certain officials are pressing the party's Youth Arm to endorse Panday, but some members of the executive are reluctant to do that because they support Persad-Bissessar.

Earlier this week, Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner complained that supporters of Panday are putting pressure on councillors and other officials to vote for Panday.

Read the story: Warner urges UNC to let conscience guide them in Jan. 24 vote