Hamza return to Parliament, trying to catch up on things

Caroni Central MP Hamza Rafeeq returned to Parliament Friday for the first time since the internal election in the opposition United National COngress (UNC) that saw Basdeo Panday replaced as party leader by Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Rafeeq, who was one of Panday's strong supporters and Opposition Chief Whip, had been on medical leave during the political drama to remove Panday as opposition leader.

He was unavailable and therefore did not make any commitment on who to support for the post.

Deputy Speaker Pennelope Beckles welcomed back the former health minister, who had been receiving medical attention in Canada, as he took his seat next to Subhas Panday, who embraced him.

Rafeeq did not provide the answer to the question most people were asking - whether he supports the new leader.

"I’m trying to catch up on some of the happenings so I can’t make a comment on that yet ... Looking at some of the old newspapers and so on," he told reporters.

However when asked directly is he is comfortable with Persad-Bissessar as Opposition Leader, he said, "I have to accept that. I can’t say I don’t accept her."

He said if his successor, Jack Warner consults him, he would give him whatever advice he can. He said he has an excellent relationship with both Panday and Persad-Bissessar. And Rafeeq noted that in politics, nothing is permanent.