Panday: UNC has lost its way

The United National Congress (UNC) celebrated its 31st anniversary on April 30, and while not in a grand celebratory style, the party said it remained committed towards national development, especially during the covid19 crisis.

The party's founder, Basdeo Panday, however, says the party has lost its way.

In a media release, the UNC said the pandemic has drastically changed the way people interacted and added that as a nation, unity is needed.

Founding member  and Opposition Senator Wade Mark told Newsday the party owes a debt of gratitude to its former leader, Panday, for his hard work and commitment to the fight for change in TT. He said his work had resulted in the UNC.

He added that the covid19 pandemic has only reinforced the party’s commitment to people-centred development.

“The party has always been committed to promoting and defending the interest of the people," he said. "That has been our history and will be our future.

“We continue to provide for the people and have embarked on a national relief effort with various organisations and individuals to provide hampers, food items, masks and other necessities to people in need.”

The party’s first youth officer and now MP for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal urged that people stay focused, as TT must deal with a global pandemic in an election year.

He said, “We are in the midst of an extremely challenging period given that we are in a general election year, and this brings greater demand for any political organisation. The UNC has contributed immeasurably to the society, to the economy and to the politics of TT.
"Leaders are taking advantage of the pandemic by trampling on the democratic rights of individuals and organisations.”

Moonilal added that the voice of the opposition has been trampled upon in Parliament by the reduction in the time given to members to speak.

“The opposition does not have the same time or capacity to raise its voice to call for accountability or transparency. The government has used its majority to smother the voice of the opposition."

The media release also blasted the government’s handling of the covid19 crisis and called for accountability on the finances spent during this period on what it described as “failed policies.”

Moonilal added that the future of the party is in good hands and also boasted about its youth arm.

“There is an optimistic future for the UNC, and it is well positioned for the future. There is an abundance of young, bright and energetic people in the party and it is reflected in the councillors, and the officers of the party at all levels.

“We have been able to reinvent ourselves in keeping with the times and a new model of leadership, that has asked for much more engagement and dynamism. The UNC has been churning out a new generation of leadership.”

He added that revitalising the economy at this stage has been of grave concern for the party and hoped they get an opportunity to do so.

But Panday said the UNC has lost its way and it does not reflect the values upon which it was formed.

He said, “It has abandoned all the principles, all the goals and aspirations upon which it was formed. The current UNC is only there to seek power.

“Under the present leadership and administration (it) does not have a successful future. There is no one with any vision of where they want to take the society.”

Panday added that the youth within the party is of no use and is not given the opportunity to adequately contribute to it.

“The only use of the youth in the party is to stick pamphlets and advertise meetings. They do not have any meaningful say in the party."

Panday said the party needed to revamp its internal operations to allow fair internal elections to choose a leader and administration.