Bharath still willing to help UNC

FORMER St Augustine MP Vasant Bharath on Monday said he remains willing to help the UNC.

But he added that three weeks since the party's internal elections were held on December 7, neither UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar nor any member of the party's national executive (natex) has spoken to him about how he could best serve the party.

Persad-Bissessar was re-elected UNC leader on December 7, when her Star Team made a clean sweep over Bharath's Lotus Team in all posts in the party's executive. She called for healing within the party and said there would be a role for all who contested the elections, in the UNC's bid to return to government.

Bharath recalled that on December 7 he "implored Mrs Bissessar to embrace and integrate all party supporters and sympathisers in the organisational restructuring of the party." He reiterated that the campaign showed there was great apathy among UNC members and this was evident from a very low voter turnout.

Bharath said there are no functioning party groups or effective constituency executives and many of the UNC's constitutional organs are nonexistent. He added that party members have no forums in which to express their opinions and his team identified widespread irregularities during the campaign which have not been addressed.

While saying this does not augur well for restoring trust in the UNC or instilling confidence that the party is ready for governance, Bharath said, " I remain a committed lifetime member of the UNC and will continue to offer to assist the party in the necessary rebuilding and restructuring that is certainly required if it is to be taken seriously as a national party."

He added that young people must be encouraged to participate in the UNC in a meaningful way, party groups and constituency executives must be empowered and the party must be expanded beyond its base.

Asked if there has been no communication with Persad-Bissessar or any natex member about his role in helping the party or addressing the concerns his team raised, Bharath replied, "Correct."

UNC deputy leader David Lee also said he was unaware of any such communication with Bharath.

Party chairman Dave Tancoo said the UNC has other priorities at this time.

"The party is on election mode. Real activists and UNC members are on the ground."

The UNC and the PNM will face off in five local government by-elections on January 25 in Arima Central, Cunupia, Hindustan/St Mary's, Hollywood and Morne Coco/Alyce Glen. These districts fall under the Arima, Chaguanas and Point Fortin boroughs, and Princes Town and Diego Martin regional corporations.

In a December 9 letter to President Paula-Mae Weekes, the Prime Minister advised that by-elections should be held in these districts after their former representatives – Lisa Morris-Julian, Symon de Nobriga, Kennedy Richards Jr, Vandana Mohit and Michelle Benjamin – had been elected MPs.

Both parties have already selected their candidates. Nomination Day is January 4.

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