UNC sources have disclosed that Basdeo Panday's "secret" slate of candidates includes his daughter Mikela Panday and Dr Tim Gopeesingh, who are both expected to contest the posts of deputy political leaders. All candidates in the upcoming January 24 internal elections are expected to file nomination papers at the party's headquarters at Rienzi Complex in Couva today. Sources said Panday, founder of the UNC, was the only person heading to the polls with a slate of candidates, as the others were filing independently. Panday has kept the slate close to his chest. Calls to his cellular phone went unanswered yesterday, and party sources said he did not want to publicise the names before nomination day.
During their election campaigns, both Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Jack Warner said they were filing nomination papers independently, and were not on the same team. Persad-Bissessar could not say what time she was going to file her nomination papers today. "Tomorrow (today) is nomination day, and I will ensure that all my papers are properly filed." Sources said Persad-Bissessar was the only candidate who had sent in her nomination papers for scrutiny. According to party guidelines, each nomination had to be supported by bona fide UNC members. Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, who is contesting the post of political leader, is also filing papers independently.
Maharaj, in an interview yesterday, said he did not know what time he would file papers. Also, he did not know who was on Panday's slate. However, UNC sources said Vasant Bharath was also on Panday's slate and would come up against Warner for the post of chairman. Chairman of Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional Corporation Ramlochan Panchoo is expected to go back up as a regional co-ordinator on Panday's slate. Former mayor of Chaguanas Suruj Rambachan is also expected to contest a post in the elections. Sources said former Panday supporters, Sylvester Ramquar, Don Sylvester and Rupert Griffith, regional co-ordinators now aligned with Warner, are also filing their nomination papers independently. Nominations will open at Rienzi Complex from 8 am today and close at 4 pm.