UNC MPs reject Bharath's loyalty call

SOME UNC MPs on Friday rejected a call by former government minister Vasant Bharath to the party's base supporters to set aside party loyalty and vote out incumbent leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the UNC's December 6 internal elections.

Bharath made the call during a virtual meeting that his Lotus Team held in Ramai Trace, Debe on Thursday.

At that meeting, Bharath claimed the area's MP, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, was promised the UNC's leadership by Persad-Bissessar when she resigns in 2023.

Moonilal scoffed at Bharath's statements: "I am extremely busy in a fight with (PM) Rowley and the PNM Women's League. I don't have time for Mr Bharath right now."

He also said he was preparing arguments for a National Security Joint Select Committee meeting on Monday, regarding what he described as breakdown in national security and international condemnation over Venezuelan migrant issues.

"Vasant will have to take a back seat for now, until I deal with those matters."

Party general secretary and Oropouche West MP Dave Tancoo declared, "Vasant Bharath's campaign has hit a new low. Yesterday, I received several calls from UNC members reporting that Vasant's campaign had launched a despicable attack, on radio, on a young woman who has been a role model to many young women in our party." He hinted, "This matter will have legal consequences."

Recalling Persad-Bissessar's milestones as Trinidad and Tobago's first female attorney general and prime minister, Tancoo warned, "If people put God out of their thoughts and hand this party over to men who participate or condone attacks against women who hold public office on behalf of the UNC, they will set us back 30 years."

Tancoo reiterated that Persad-Bissessar has attracted many women and young people to serve in leadership roles in the UNC.

Princes Town MP Barry Padarath declared that Bharath continues to insult the UNC's membership.

"Vasant should be the last one to speak about blind loyalty. He held on to the coattails of (Basdeo) Panday after the membership spoke convincingly in (January) 2010 and voted for Kamla."

Padarath recalled that in 2010, Bharath refused to sign a letter to the President, signed by other UNC MPs, which endorsed Persad-Bissessar to replace Panday as opposition leader. Padarath declared, "No amount of insults or intimidation will deter UNC members from supporting Kamla Persad-Bissessar."

Chaguanas East MP Vandana Mohit said, "The last time I checked, the UNC is a representation of TT. Mrs Persad-Bissessar's leadership represents TT."

Mohit added," The membership of the UNC has clear vision. Hence they rejected him and his team before and they will do it again."