Analyst
predicts turmoil in UNC
By Gregory Lal Beharie
Trinidad Express
Port
Spain
Petroleumworld.com
09 17 06
The resignation of United National Congress (UNC)
political leader Winston Dookeran is likely to be
the beginning of another battle, as various contenders
vie for the post.
The
resulting chaos within the Opposition could spur
People's National Movement (PNM) leader Patrick
Manning to call an earlier general election, emeritus
professor of Government at the University of the
West Indies (UWI), Dr John La Guerre, said yesterday.
La
Guerre is suggesting that these developments could
follow in the wake of the launching of Dookeran's
Congress of the People (COP) on Sunday.
Speaking
to the Express yesterday, La Guerre said he expected
former UNC political leader and chairman, Basdeo
Panday, to fill the vacuum of Dookeran's resignation.
"One
suspects that Mr Panday might move to fill that
void. If not (the position of) political leader,
at least as the person who will redress the deficiencies
created."
He
said he anticipated rough waters ahead in a fight
for the political leadership.
"I
expect that (Panday's) action in itself will generate
some cross currents within the UNC itself. I do
not see Mrs Persad-Bissessar, Ramesh Maharaj or
(Jack) Warner sitting idly by under the threatened
leadership of Mr Panday."
He
recalled the vicious fight between Persad-Bissessar
and former attorney general Maharaj for the deputy
political leadership post of the UNC in 2000, which
ultimately led to the resignation of Maharaj, Trevor
Sudama and Ralph Maharaj, who formed the now defunct
Team Unity.
La
Guerre said any further disarray in the Opposition
could "stimulate" Manning into calling
an earlier election.
"The
next few months should see some exciting developments
on the opposition side. Certainly the ruling party
will be looking at the situation."
The
political analyst said Dookeran's movement appeared
to be intent on rekindling the sentiment of 1986,
when the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR)
toppled the PNM in a 33-3 seat victory.
"Certainly,
he (Dookeran) hopes to capture the spirit of 1986's
one-love and unity. I also see a striking number
of familiar faces from the NAR.
"I
think Mr Dookeran is trying to recapture that euphoria.
That era of hope that was 1986. If not in terms
of the personnel but at least in terms of the underlying
objectives and philosophy."
He
said Dookeran's next move would likely be an attempt
to broaden his base and reach out to the grassroots.
Trinidad
Express
Tuesday, September 12th 2006
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©2006 Trinidad Express . All Rights Reserved.
