Big names, new faces among UNC candidates

Nominations closed Monday for the internal election of the United National Congress (UNC) with some new names among political stalwarts.

There are no surprises among the committed candidates who had been campaigning since last year.

These include the leadership candidates, Basdeo Panday, Ramesh L. Maharaj and Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner, who is running for the chairmanship.

On the Panday team Roodal Moonilal is one of the three deputy leaders, with Wade Mark and newcomer Shama Deonarine. They will be facing competition on the Persad-Bissessar side from former Chaguanas Mayor Suruj Rambachan, Senator Lyndira Oudit and newcomer Gail Ramnarine.

There is also one independent candidate, former cabinet minister Dr Rupert Griffith. Griffith served in the Panday cabinet and has been a member of the now disbanded Ramjack Movement for Change.

Warner is not running with a team, but some of his close allies are running as independents. They include Sylvester Ramquar and Don Sylvester.

The race for the chairmanship is among Jack Warner, St Augustine MP Vasant Bharath and councillor Khadijah Ameen, who has been at loggerheads with Bharath for the areas she represents.

Tim Gopeesingh will face off against his friend and political colleague, former San Juan/Barataria MP and ex-junior health minister Dr Fuad Khan for the post of vice-chairman.

Caroni central MP Dr Hamza Rafeeq is running as policy and strategy officer.

There is a newcomer on the Persad-Bissessar side. Colin Partap, son of MP Harry Partap is running on the team against Rafeeq.

The full Panday team was released late Monday night:

1. Political leader - Basdeo Panday
2. Deputy Political leader - Roodal Moonilal
3. Deputy Political leader - Shama Deonarine
4. Deputy political leader - Wade Mark
5. Chairman - Vasant Bharath
6. Vice-chairman - Dr Tim Gopeesingh
7. Policy and strategy officer - Dr Hamza Rafeeq
8. Party organiser - Rudy Narinesingh
9. Research officer - Ved Seereeram
10. Education officer - Terry Bowen
11. Elections officer - Ramlochan Panchoo
12. Treasurer - Shanaz Bissessar
13. International relations officer - Chandresh Sharma
14. Regional coordinator for the Central region - Imam Rasheed Karim
15. Regional coordinator for the North West region - Cassandra Samuel
16. Regional coordinator for the North East region - Prakash Williams
17. Regional coordinator for South - Ken Ram
18. Regional coordinator for Tobago - Hilford Phillips