He took some time after the surprise announcement of early UNC leadership polls, but former PP minister Vasant Bharath will challenge UNC Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar—yet again—for the party leadership.
He said he has the support of some UNC MPs—though he is not calling names.
“I have every intention of contesting in a legal, legitimate contest, whenever held,” he said yesterday responding to questions.
It will be Bharath’s second bid after badly losing a leadership fight to Persad-Bissessar in 2015. She obtained over 18,000 votes; UNC MP Roodal Moonilal got approximately 1,800 votes; and Bharath, 1,500.
“People may say why try again—and I do have other options—but a result like that wouldn’t daunt you once national interest is truly at heart.”
Bharath said earlier this year that he would contest the leadership in next year’s expected poll. After last week’s surprise announcement to push it earlier together with the November 26 National Executive elections, he has weighed the situation.
Yesterday, ahead of Tuesday’s UNC congress to ratify the dates, he said he was watching that outcome.
“But when I contest, it will be with a slate contesting the executive. I’m assembling a team with the required experience to take the party out of the mess it’s found itself in.
“We need to rebuild from UNC’s questionself-inflicted wounds to present a genuine alternative to the current Government. The UNC lost six elections—five in government, one out of office.
It’s highly unlikely the same leadership can win again. Nor has the current executive done anything to rebuild the party’s institution or representation.
“There are also serious allegations levelled against some former government ministers which place the party under further negative scrutiny.”
Bharath said, “My team has quality and expertise, a group of competent people, of like mind, with country and party at heart.
“If I lose, my intention is always to stay with UNC and build the party—I’m a lifetime member.”
Bharath said he has been traversing T&T and has built support in the last nine months. He met constituencies up to last Friday.
“I’ve been to most hardcore heartland UNC areas—with eligible voters—Naparima, Barrackpore, Oropouche, Chaguanas West, Princes Town, Sangre Grande.
“There are many angry, frustrated activists plus MPs who are silently disenchanted. The current leader might seem popular, but it’s uncertain the East-West corridor agrees.”
Bharath said “the party and executive haven’t done enough to convince people they’re a credible alternative at this point. This isn’t to say they might be in two years—but not at this time.
UNC’s policy can’t be to sit and wait until the PNM collapses and be forced down people’s throats as the only alternative.
“The 20 to 40 year olds are very concerned about their future. I’m at UWI a lot. Many who talk to me see the PNM and UNC being as bad as each other.
“They keep asking for something to hope for, they don’t want to vote for either party. My team will be presenting a plan to run T&T—from the economy to other areas.
“The business community is also very disenchanted with Government ‘s unsuccessful efforts grappling with new forms of income generation, business expansion and job creation. I have a good relationship with the community and have met many groups over the last year.”
On UNC MP Ganga Singh challenging the process of expediting the leadership poll, he said, “If you don’t respect your own constitution, how will you respect that of the State’s? The change of date will be viewed as an instrument of political expediency and self-preservation and serve to enforce a negative view of politicians as self-serving.
“The situation gives credence to Dr Moonilal’s concerns in the last election that the executive might go to any lengths.”
Reinforcing his concern, he said while touring constituencies, he met people with multiple party cards.
Ganga’s not alone— Tuesday’s meeting in question
While majority MP support emerged for Persad-Bissessar following Singh’s concerns, the Chaguanas West MP was not alone in that.
Cumuto-Manzanilla MP Christine Newallo-Hosein shared certain concerns.
She said, “The question of supporting the political leader doesn’t arise here. This issue is about the PROCESS and adhering to UNC’s constitution. It’s not about who you’re supporting but WHAT are we supporting and how we go about the matter.
“So I’m perturbed that MPs and by extension the membership are being asked to choose a side and a personality.
“The constitution shouldn’t serve the convenience of any member. As such, one ought not to arbitrarily amend any aspect unless having the process of meeting with congress member on a recommendation.
“I don’t know if Tuesday’s congress is being called to amend the constitution. However, UNC’s constitution states there will be one congress annually—which was held recently—and at that congress, no recommendation on the current issue was raised.
“So do we breach the constitution by convening another congress to ratify an unlawful action? “I’ve always made my voice heard. Those on the inside know. We must NEVER allow fear to cloud our judgment as this may cause hasty decisions that could affect the lives of generations to come.
“I wouldn’t want the outpouring of goodwill received due to the Government’s incompetence to be eroded because we as a party didn’t follow our party’s constitution.
Volney: Foolish for Bharath to contest
Former UNC St Joseph MP Herbert Volney, who left UNC and is now with “We the People” lobby group, claimed via social media, UNC moved (Tuesday’s) congress to Persad-Bissessar’s constituency so her members “would outvote opposition to amend UNC Constitution.
“That doesn’t necessarily legalise the flawed decision on the leadership election—a decision that’s void ‘ab initio’.”
He said it was foolish for Bharath to contest as this would “legitimise an incurable abrogation of UNC’s constitution”.
“The term of the political leader ends in 2018 and if litigated a court is unlikely to support any ex post facto attempt to legitimise an act that is void ab initio.”