Jack, Kamla compete for Alliance leadership

Anna Ramdass aramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007

THE leader of the United National Congress Alliance will be determined tomorrow.

Members of a high-powered meeting agreed to select the new leader at that time last night, after meeting for two and a half hours at the House of Chan Restaurant at Emerald Plaza in St Augustine.

Speaking after the meeting, Stephen Cadiz, of Yes TT, told the media that "serious proposals were made" and when UNC Deputy Political Leader Jack Warner returns tomorrow morning, the leadership council would meet again and a final decision would be made.

"Mr Panday is the leader of the UNC. Can we win the general election with that? That is the question that needs to be answered," he said.

When questioned on whether the potential leaders would come from either Basdeo Panday, Kamla Persad-Bissessar or Warner, he sidestepped the question. But he did say "the population would be pleased".

The Express understands that Persad-Bissessar and Warner are the two front-runners for the position.

Earlier, after about 20 minutes of meeting with Panday, Political Leader of the Democratic National Assembly (DNA), Dr Kirk Meighoo, stormed out the meeting.

At 6.15 p.m., Meighoo angrily flung open the doors and walked away from a meeting which was discussing the leadership of the UNC Alliance.

He was accompanied by Salim Muwakil and an unidentified woman.

When confronted by the Express, a visibly upset Meighoo offered no comment.
Meighoo was not there to attend the meeting. He went specifically to speak with Panday on a possible alliance with the party.

Panday, Persad-Bissessar, Stephen Cadiz, DPTT Political Leader Steve Alvarez and leader of Laventille for Laventillians, Lennox Smith, were all in attendance.

The Express understands that the members of the coalition were torn between either keeping Panday, or appointing Warner or Persad-Bissessar to the post of leader of the coalition.

Meighoo had recently made a proposal appealing to the opposition parties, which included the Congress of the People (COP), to merge to contest the general election. With confidence, he said his party was crucial to ensure victory at the polls.

First things first. If people think that Bas have too much weighing on his shoulders to be the leader, they fockin lie. Bas is the fockin leader. Second, Jack is not a sufficiently popular leader in the Alliance to lead. Like fockin Robinson in 86 and asshole Dookeran in 2006 the UNC will splinter again if we put an unpopular figure to lead. Apart from that Kamla can command a better support than Jack. She has also done a good job as Leader of the Opposition for the last year or so. So fock Jack. This is not football.

Now who the fock Kirk Meighoo think he is? Refer to meh previous post about this wannabe cont.