Endorsements roll in for Bharath to lead UNC

MORE endorsements for UNC political leader candidate Vasant Bharath rolled in on Thursday, ahead of the party's internal elections on Sunday.

The endorsements, from several former UNC parliamentarians and ministers, posted on Bharath's Facebook page, resoundingly supported him over incumbent leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

On Monday, former UNC chairman Jack Warner declared his support for Bharath. Warner was among the speaker's at Bharath's Team Lotus virtual meeting on Wednesday.

On Thursday, former St Joseph MP Carlos John said he is confident Bharath "is the man to transform the UNC into a formidable force." John added, "Political strategy is about making the right decisions at the right time. Now is the time for new leadership in the UNC."

Former Princes Town MP Nela Khan said, "We must look forward and not backward."

She added this was why she is supporting Bharath and his Team Lotus.

Former trade minister Mervyn Assam said, 'The fundamental reason for the UNC's loss in the general election of 2020 was symptomatic of poor leadership." Having known Bharath for 20 years, Assam added, "I believe he can lead the UNC to victory."

Former food production minister Jennifer Jones-Kernahan said, "The UNC needs a resurgence. The party must become attractive to the masses beyond the base to win the next general election."

Former Naparima MP Nizam Baksh declared, " We can't do the same thing and expect different results. It's time for a change in the leadership of the UNC." Former UNC senator Robin Montano quipped, "For Pete's sake, we can keep going around in circles. The UNC cannot beat the PNM without change at the top."

Former education minister Dr Adesh Nanan said he could not sit idly by and watch the UNC disintegrate "because of a lack of vision."

Former Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Christine Newallo-Hosein felt Bharath was the right leader for TT at a time when there is growing suspicion worldwide that the rights and freedoms of law-abiding citizens are being exploited.

"Vasant without fear or favour has stood against the status quo."

John, Assam, Nanan, Jones Kernahan and Persad-Bissessar were ministers' in Basdeo Panday's cabinet from 1995-2001. Newallo-Hosein, Baksh and Bharath were members of Persad-Bissessar's cabinet in the PP government from May 2010-September 2015. Baksh and Newallo-Hosein did not stand for re-election in 2015 and in August respectively.

On November 17, Panday predicted the UNC has no future, regardless of who wins the elections on Sunday.

"I think once something genuine comes upon the scene," he said, "this thing that calls itself the UNC will die a natural death."