Larry Lalla quits UNC over lack of change

LARRY LALLA, SC, has left the UNC in apparent frustration at the party, but UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar in reply has said he was free to pursue his political ambitions elsewhere.

Lalla published his resignation letter – addressed to UNC chairman Davendranath Tancoo – on Facebook on February 24.

"After careful consideration over the past few months, I hereby tender my resignation as a member of the United National Congress.

"As you well know I have advocated, unsuccessfully, for change in the party for the past nine years – in 2015 as part of the UNC Loyalists team, 2020 as part of the Lotus team and 2024 as part of the United Patriots team – and, having done so, I have arrived at the conclusion I can afford no more time (sic) to my efforts in the party."

He said he was grateful for the relationships built and experiences gained during his time in the UNC.

"I wish the party, as I would any other party, the best in its attempts to bring about a better TT."

Persad-Bissessar, via WhatsApp, seemed not to be upset or fazed.

She said, "As he implied in his resignation letter, he didn’t achieve his personal political ambitions within the UNC despite three attempts under three different leadership contenders.

"The UNC is a democratic party and that was the will of the membership when he offered himself and therefore he is well within his rights to seek to fulfil those personal ambitions elsewhere."

Persad-Bissessar said that just as with everyone else, the party wished Lalla the best.

"Concerning the UNC, there is no effect on our general election campaign as he was not a participant in any of our preparations.

"We wish him all happiness in his future endeavours."

Newsday asked Lalla for any specifics as to why he left the UNC.

"I think the contents of the letter are self-explanatory.

"As everyone knows since 2015 I have been involved in various attempts to bring about change. I have been unsuccessful and therefore I think the time has come for me to focus on other ways to use my energies and to bring about betterment in our country."

He related the changes he had sought in the UNC.

"In 2015 after the party lost the general election, I joined with Team Loyalists to campaign for changes to make the party a stronger party.

"I did it again as part of Vasant Bharath's team in about 2020 and recently with Rushton Paray and the United Patriots team.

"Basically on all three occasions, we campaigned on the same issues."

However, he said despite all this effort, no changes were made, for whatever reason.

"And I think it is time for me to move on."

Lalla wished the party well.

"I don't want there to be any public washing of dirty linen. The letter speaks for itself and I think I should not say any more."

Newsday asked for his views on Persad-Bissessar's recent remarks about race. The UNC leader has accused the PNM of crafting a narrative of "all Indians tief" amid a civil case against Oropouche East MP Roodal Moonilal over contracts awarded by the Estate Management and Business Development Company Ltd (EMBD), alleging the case was both politically and racially motivated.

Lalla said, "I disagree with her comments. I certainly think they serve no useful purpose at this time in the country's history."

Newsday asked him if Persad-Bissessar's remarks were aimed at securing the support of the party's base, rather than trying to be appealing to a wider range of voters, such as when former UNC head Basdeo Panday used to say there was room for all under the UNC big tent.

Lalla replied, "I don't know. But in relation to your comment about room under the tent, I know there has been no effort to have conversation with (Mayaro MP) Rushton Paray's team and see how best the issue they raised can be accommodated.

"Perhaps that is the result of the leadership's good judgement. I don't question it, but I just say that."

With a pending general election, Newsday asked if Lalla would be siding with anyone, such as a new party like the Patriotic Front.

He said, "No, no, no, no.

"So, having resigned, I am unaligned and I have not been approached by anyone."