COP leaders to hold meetings with other groups on unity

Congress of the People (COP) political leader Winston Dookeran, and deputy leader Prakash Ramadhar return to Trinidad Friday night and will immediately begin meetings with other political parties with a view to sealing a unity agreement for the general election.

A senior COP source told JYOTI the COP officials will be meeting with the leadership of the UNC, NJAC, TOP, and other groups in an effort to create a "credible, stable, and workable government and governance."

Dookeran and UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar have an agreement in principle to fight the election on a one-to-one basis, with only one opposition candidate against the governing PNM.

Earlier this week COP expressed frustration at the slow pace of negotiations with the UNC on a unity deal. But Persad-Bissessar gave the assurance that a deal will be finalised in time for the election.

The UNC leader is also holding meetings with political groups to discuss a unity agenda.

She is leading a delegation to Tobago for a meeting Saturday with Ashford Jack, political leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) and other officials of the Party.

Jack has said he is looking forward to the discussions.