Panday has no faith in UNC internal election process

Founder of the United National Congress (UNC) Basdeo Panday has very little faith in the opposition party ever returning to government.

The former prime minister also does not expect much change after the UNC’s internal elections, which is set for December 6.

"There is very little hope for the present opposition to attain government anytime soon," Panday said on Saturday.

"I am seeing the obvious. The person who is fighting the elections is also conducting the elections."

In 2010, he lost the party’s internal elections to Kamla Persad-Bissessar. A few months later, she became this country’s first female prime minister.

Without referring to her by name, Panday said, "If someone is a contestant and that person is in control, organising every aspect of that internal election, who do you think would win?"

In the past, he publicly said the party had lost its way under her leadership.

So far, former trade minister Vasant Bharath has launched his campaign to contest the leadership position.

On Friday, the former St Augustine MP held a press conference saying the membership is fed-up with losing at the polls. He said under Persad-Bissessar's leadership, the party had 11 defeats. He charged that owing to poor leadership, the UNC is in total disarray.

Also commenting on the internal elections was Panday’s brother, Subhas.

Subhas said, "I wish that the best person wins. I hope that whatever happens, the election will further strengthen the party."

He was a national security minister under the People's Partnership administration which Persad-Bissessar led from 2010 to 2015.

Subhas opted not to make additional comments on the issue.

Nomination day is November 15. Apart from electing the political leader, the membership would also elect a new national executive.

Based on the constitution, the leader and other executive positions become vacant at midnight on November 26.

Despite opposition from some UNC members, Persad-Bissessar has strong backing, especially from her Siparia constituents and some MPs, including Dave Tancoo.