UNC factions seeking support for internal vote

As the political tension in the United National Congress (UNC) increases, both factions are holding meetings Monday night to woo UNC members who will vote on January 24 for a new leader and national executive.

So far there are only two declared candidates for the post of leader: the incumbent, Basdeo Panday, and Tabaquite MP, Ramesh L. Maharaj.

There is speculation that Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar will join the contest this week, but so far she is neither confirming or denying that.

She is listed among speakers at the UNC's Monday Night Forum (MNF) and will share the political stage with UNC leader Basdeo Panday in Panday's Couva North constituency.

Supporters will be listening to hear if she would endorse Panday for the leadership or whether she will drop any hints about her intentions.

The Ramjack faction will also be holding a meeting Monday night in Bamboo #2, which is in the St Augustine Constituency held by UNC vice chairman, Vasant Bharath.

Ramjack leader Jack Warner is listed to give the feature address. UNC supporters will be paying close attention to what he has to say.

Warner was in South Africa for FIFA meetings and the draw for the 2010 World Cup when Maharaj announced that he would run for the leadership.

Warner had previously announced that he would support Persad-Bissessar if she decided to run, noting that she was competent and eminently qualified to lead the party.

Over the weekend he said he stands by his comments but at the same time explained that his Ramjack colleague is also an excellent candidate. He ended the speculation about who would get his support by saying that he trusts the membership to make the choice and he wants the best person to win.

Read the story: Jack supports no one; May the best person win

It is unlikely that he would change that position Monday since he has indicated that he wants to meet with both Maharaj and Persad-Bissessar during the week.

He himself has no interest in running for the leadership. He has said he will run for the post of Chairman.

The full slate of candidates will be known on January 11, 2010, which is nomination day. The only declared candidates so far are Panday and Maharaj for leader and Warner for chairman.

Since Panday currently holds the chairmanship of the UNC there is no incumbent defending that title, but it is expected that either Baharat or Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh will seek that post.

Some MPs have already clearly stated that they support Panday. They include Gopeesingh, Bharath, Kelvin Ramnath, Dr Roodal Moonilal, Nizam Baksh and Dr Hamza Rafeeq.

Panday's brother, Subhas, is on record as saying he will keep party matters private and Panday's daughter, Mickela, has said she is happy that democracy is alive and well in the UNC. There is no word from one of Panday's strongest allies, Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma.

No MP is so far supporting Maharaj.

His Ramjack colleague, Winston "Gypsy" Peters, had said previously he would fully support Persad-Bissessar if she decides to run and Warner is not getting involved in supporting any candidate.

The election is on the basis of one-member-one-vote and only financial members are eligible to vote. The closing date for registration of members is Dec. 18 and the list of electors would be available in the new year.