Dr Hamza Rafeeq

For the second time in their controversial political relationship, Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday yesterday stripped UNC MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj of the UNC’s lead spokesman position in the Parliament. After a group led by Maharaj and UNC deputy leader Jack Warner were involved in a fracas outside UNC’s Rienzi Complex office two Sundays ago, Panday moved to bring Maharaj to heel—stripping him of the portfolio of Opposition chief whip which Maharaj had held since the start of the term in 2007.

Panday appointed UNC Caroni Central MP Dr Hamza Rafeeq to replace Maharaj as chief whip. It was a case of deja vu for Maharaj who was stripped of the post of Leader of Government Business in the UNC administration of 2001 after Maharaj fell out with Panday and was fired as attorney general. In 2001, Panday replaced Maharaj as attorney general with UNC MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar and placed then-MP Ganga Singh in the post of Leader of Government Business.

Commenting yesterday on the rift with the Maharaj/Warner faction and the 2009 rounds of “stripping,” Panday declared: “This party must be disciplined if it is to be strong enough to remove the PNM Government—that is the only way.” Panday confirmed that he had communicated with Deputy Speaker Pennelope Beckles on Maharaj’s removal and Rafeeq’s appointment. He said he informed Tabaquite MP Maharaj of the development by letter. Asked if Maharaj, Warner and others would be expelled or suspended for the recent fracas at Rienzi Complex, Panday said those who defied rules can be brought before a disciplinary team who will “decide their fate.”

However, Maharaj who was brought back into the UNC by Panday for the 2007 general election, said of his “new” position yesterday: “This (removal) was not unexpected. As I said last week—when we had anticipated it—we’ll use the backbench as the front bench to fight for the public. The party needs me more now. I’m not leaving UNC. “But it’s the first time in the political history of the Commonwealth that a chief whip was dismissed for a second time by the same person whom he served as prime minister and as opposition leader,” he said. “But I hold no acrimony and I go to Parliament’s backbench in love and peace.”

Fight for backbench

New whip Rafeeq will assume the front row seat which Maharaj previously occupied. As for where Maharaj will now sit, Panday said Rafeeq will organise the new seating arrangements. “I don’t know what the new whip will decide,” Panday added. On recent statements by Maharaj, Warner and MP Winston Peters that they would relocate to the Parliament’s back bench if Maharaj was removed, Panday said: “Having regard to their behaviour, the back step would be a better place.”

Rafeeq said yesterday that seating arrangements would be made in consultation with the Opposition Leader and UNC MPs since some may have preferences. He said it was not known procedure for MPs to ask the House Speaker to make their own seating arrangements. However, simultaneously with Panday’s action, UNC deputy Warner wrote Deputy Speaker Beckles yesterday, requesting that his Chaguanas West seat be relocated to the Parliament’s backbench if Maharaj was stripped of his duties. Warner, in the US , returns tomorrow.

Maharaj also said: “I have options to sit where I want and I’d opt for the back. We’ll vote on party lines and support UNC in the Parliament. But I reserve my position if it involves something I’m against or not in the public interest.” UNC MP Peters said, “As long as Jack and Ramesh go to the back bench so will I. I’ll support my party if we have to vote on matters I believe in. I’m in no clique —I am UNC. However, if something goes against my conscience, I can’t support it.” UNC officials all communicated with Beckles on the issue yesterday since Speaker Barendra Sinanan is overseas. Beckles said Panday came to see her on the matter yesterday. But she said she had not received a letter from Panday on the new appointment. She had received Warner’s letter on seating.