?The United National Congress (UNC) still has a role for its founder, Basdeo Panday, according to its political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Persad-Bissessar said she respected Panday's decision to end his political career as an elected MP earlier in the week. "This is a democratic country. Mr Panday is entitled to his actions. His decision, as any other UNC person, is entitled," Persad-Bissessar told members of the media yesterday morning. She was speaking to the media before the UNC's screening committee interviewed her for the UNC's Siparia candidacy. Persad-Bissessar was responding to Panday's failure to file nomination papers to re-contest his Couva North seat for the UNC. He has been the representative for that area for more than three decades.
It was reported that Panday was unwilling to re-contest his seat for the UNC because UNC chairman Jack Warner would be among those screening him. Panday has shared an estranged relationship with Warner, as well as with Persad-Bissessar. Persad-Bissessar defeated Panday in the UNC internal elections earlier in January to become UNC political leader. She replaced Panday as Opposition Leader after soliciting a majority support from UNC MPs in the House of Representatives.
Persad-Bissessar said she could not force Panday to resolve his issues with her and move forward with the UNC under her leadership. She said: "I have tried. Mr Panday says he will not speak with me. Publically, that is what I heard. I did try. He is a founder of the party. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Mr Panday and I respect his decision." Persad-Bissessar stressed there remained a role for Panday in the UNC. She said: "That role can only be with his consent. You cannot force people to do things they have no desire so to do."