Thousands celebrate Indian Arrival with Jack; no FIFA bombshell at rally

Jack address large crowd at Felicity.  Photo: Ann Dookie, Warner's Press Officer

Thousands turned out in Chaguanas West Sunday to celebrate Indian Arrival Day with their MP, Jack Warner, who was out of the country for the official holiday last Monday.

The celebration began early in the morning when supporters began gathering at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary as early at eight in the morning for the start of a motorcade which criss-crossed the constituency.

Along the way constituents came out to greet their MP and blow kisses as he led the motorcade through the various communities, stopping at times to meet and greet them.

By the time the motorcade reached Felicity, where Warner addressed constituents, there were an estimated 1,300 vehicles - cars, trucks, maxi taxis and motorcycles.

One supporter who was there said, "There was a stretch limo, decorated pirogue, music trucks etc. with characters from Ram Leela, Indian dancers, persons representing the immigrant labourers, tassa drummers."

He said supporters came from all parts of the country from the deep south to Morvant and La Horquetta. Some also showed up from Fyzabad.

Fyzabad councillor Doodnath Mayrhoo was among supporters. Ann Dookie photo

"In my humble opinion, this may have been the largest motorcade in the history of our country," the supporter said in an email to JYOTI. "I cannot remember the UNC (or the PNM) having anything as big as this," he added.

Warner acknowledged the presence of some of his political and cabinet colleagues including United National Congress (UNC) Deputy Leader Lyndira Oudit, Tobago Development Minister Vernella Alleyne-Toppin, Tetiary Education Minister Fazal Karim and Minister in the Labour Ministry Rudranath Indarsingh.

Warner thanked all of them for their support.

In a brief address at Cacandee Road, Felicity, the Works and Transport Minister said he was grateful for all who came out to show support, noting that when a person perceives himself to be down that is when he sees who are his true friends.

The chairman of the UNC said the PNM wants his head because they feel that getting him will bring down the PP government. He declared, "They want my head. They hate my guts because I love you!"

He said there is a measure of hypocrisy in the PNM, noting that if he was a PNM they would not have any problem with him.

He disappointed those who expected him to talk about FIFA, saying his lawyers advised him against it.

"I had planned to speak to you today a bit more on this matter. But the best legal advice I have received, both at home and abroad, has suggested that I do not do so at this point in time. And that advice I am going to respect.

"It is so foolish that its not funny. Nobody has accused me or can accuse me of taking any money. I eh thief nutten. I eh give anybody nutten and therefore, I don't see what all the hullabaloo is about."

Warner and bin Hammam and two other CFU officials were suspended by the FIFA Ethics Committee last Sunday on allegations that members of the CFU were given bribes of US$40,000 to vote for bin Hammam. Both men have denied the charges raised by Concacaf secretary general Chuck Blazer.

"My friend (Bin Hammam) came here to talk to some people. He spoke with them and then he left. The rest is now history. Let the facts and the story come out, but I am not prepared to go into any discussion of any kind based on the advice I received.

"You rest assured that your Member of Parliament's hands are very clean."
With files from Sunil Ramjitsingh