Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has the support of at least seven of the 16 other UNC MPs, according to party insiders.
Persad-Bissessar is likely to face competition for the top party post from deputy political leader Roodal Moonilal and Vasant Bharath.
Moonilal is calling on UNC members to give him their opinion on whether he should contest the UNC leadership before he makes a decision by weekend.
Saying he’s having talks with supporters and others outside the party including founding members, Moonilal said yesterday, “I’m calling on all members to register their views with us before any decision.”
T&T Guardian learned Persad-Bissessar has been meeting several MPs on the issue. Some have expressed support for her—but several others remain non-committal—and there are expressions of support for Moonilal from at least four MPs to date.
On Sunday, San Juan/Barataria MP Fuad Khan, speaking from Mexico, said Persad-Bissessar should step down and contest the post of chairman. Deadline for nominations is November 20.
Replying to queries including when he’ll announce his decision, Moonilal said the situation before him is not of his personal making: “I’m being asked by many people...it’s the view of members, supporters, incumbent MPs, councillors and chairmen...I’ve been approached by a lot of people to go forward and because it’s a critical juncture and decision, we‘d welcome members’ views on it, Also, there have been alternative views emerging in the party—such as Dr Khan’s recently—and we need to look at those sort of views carefully.”
“I intend to speak with Dr Khan on his return to T&T. He’s a very senior, valuable member of our team and the only MP to have won a clear marginal seat so his views are very important to us.”
On whether he’d heeded Khan’s view that other former members like Jack Warner should return, Moonilal said he hadn’t talked to Warner, but had to speak to any member “...especially those who worked very hard over the years and have a greater stake in UNC’s future direction.”
Saying he preferred not to rush the decision on a possible challenge, he added, he was speaking to a wide cross section of T&T “...particularly founding members...and young professionals.” He made the latter points when asked if he’s consulting with UNC founder Basdeo Panday and daughter Mickela.
On whether he believed the battle may damage UNC, Moonilal said, “In 2010, we were able to mobilise for election very quickly after party elections so I don’t think a campaign can divide this party, it has great strength and resilience, and we have time—I don’t expect the PNM Government to collapse tonight.”
But at least one UNC MP supporting Persad-Bissessar has expressed concern about the exercise weakening the Opposition.
Naparima MP Rodney Charles, said yesterday, “If not properly managed this election could severely weaken the UNC. Contending factions need to give consideration about party before self and make the appropriate decision.”
Asked if he felt Persad-Bissessar still had strong stocks after losing five elections over the last term, Charles said, “Anybody who wins UNC’s poll will have to face local government polls, two by-elections, and Tobago House of Assembly polls in future as well as possible polls in five seats if the UNC wins its election petitions. One has to factor that in when you talk of losing.”
Charles was among several MPs who attended Persad-Bissessar’s leadership campaign launch last Saturday in Penal. Others were MPs Dr Lackram Bodoe, Suruj Rambachan, Christine Newallo-Hosein and David Lee. But several other MPs were absent.
Newallo-Hosein and Barry Padarath last week expressed support for Persad-Bissessar. Padarath said he hadn’t been invited to the meeting, but had gone after learning about it via media. He said it seemed invitations weren’t issued and it was a general gathering.
Bharath who didn’t attend last Saturday’s meeting said he hasn’t spoken to Persad-Bissessar on the election.
Whether he’s decided on contesting, Bharath said he’d been talking “to a lot of people—clearly there are differing views. One has to take all of those into account.”
MP Rudy Indarsingh said he didn’t attend the event since he was in his constituency. He said he hasn’t decided who he’s supporting.
MP Ramona Ramdial said she too hadn’t attended, saying, “Apparently it was a constituency thing. I haven’t decided who I’ll support; I know Mrs Persad-Bissessar is an option, I’m hearing Roodal Moonilal is an option also and there might be a third or fourth.”
Dr Tim Gopeesingh, not saying “yea” on either contender, said “I’m giving a lot of thought to it and will make a statement later on.”