Basdeo Panday took a back seat in the House of Representatives Friday, rejecting an offer from United National Congress Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to sit in the front bench next to her.It was Persad-Bissessar's first day in the House as leader of the opposition, having taken the oath of office the day before.
The UNC executive had agreed to leave Panday in the front bench but he refused the offer saying that while he is willing to accept the leadership of Persad-Bissessar, he will not work under the direction of Chief Whip Jack Warner.
So he chose to go to the back bench, sitting next to Tabaquite MP Ramesh L. Maharaj.
Speaking with reporters during the tea break, Persad-Bissessar said she is “very disappointed” that Panday refused to sit on her left. “Mr Panday informed me that he is no longer under the Chief Whip and he wants to go the back bench," she said.
“That is his democratic right and the party will go forward. I think that our front bench looked strong and solid together and more will join us in that front bench as we go forward.”
Persad-Bissessar also revealed that she has asked President Max Richards to reinstate Lyndira Oudit, one of the three UNC deputy leaders, as an opposition Senator. Panday fired her recently.
The opposition leader also announced that Dr Suruj Rambachan, another deputy leader, would be moving into the Senate.
The opposition is allowed six Senators, so it means that someone will have to go when Oudit and Rambachan take up their Senate seats. Persad-Bissessar did not say what other changes will take place in the Upper House.
At least one Senator - M.F. Rahman - has offered his resignation to the new leader. Other Panday-appointed Senators are: Sharon Gopaul-Mc Nichol, Jennifer Jones Kernahan, Dr Adesh Nanan, Wade Mark and temporary Senator, Christopher Joefield of the Public Services Association.
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