Devant quits COP over Wendy's unity tirade

Another top Congress of the People (COP) member is leaving the party. Devant Maharaj is leaving COP, claiming that he took the decision because of the erosion of the COP support base.

Last month, Anand Ramlogan, who put up a vigorous fight for COP against Ramesh L. Maharaj in Tabaquite in 2007, returned to the United National Congress.

Reliable UNC sources have told JYOTI Ramlogan will be the opposition candidate in Tabaquite in the 2010 election although Maharaj says he is seeking the nomination and has the backing of the constituency.

Devant Maharaj fought the Couva South seat in 2007 and came third in a three-way fight in which incumbent Kelvin Ramnath won for the UNC-A.

In his resignation letter to COP leader Winston Dookeran, Maharaj said, "Our support was based on a fundamental dissatisfaction with the retention of Basdeo Panday as political leader of the UNC and this is no longer the case."

He added, "The promise of political unity between the COP and UNC may have temporarily slowed the membership hemorrhage however statements made by Deputy Political Leader Ms. Wendy Lee Yuen in your absence have in my opinion worked against the unity process.

"The rhetoric used was inflammatory, divisive, and created an atmosphere that was not conducive to unification. These statements were particularly disturbing as they emanated from the Chairperson of the COP’s Unity Team and have resulted in my key supporters and valued advisors lobbying for me to revisit my political association with the COP for the General Elections of 2010."

Maharaj said he was bothered by Lee Yeun's statements in the media and attacks by some COP members on UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar in emails and in letters to the media.

Maharaj said he is disappointed that COP's leadership has been unable to present a clearly articulated position on political unity.

Maharaj could be a powerful ally for the UNC. He is an executive member of the country's largest Hindu group, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS), which threw its full support behind COP in the 2007 election. He is also the CEO of the Maha Sabha's radio station, Radio Jagriti.