New contender in the United National Congress (UNC) leadership race Vasant Bharath, who officially announced his bid for the leadership post yesterday, says he had not yet decided whether he would give up the senatorial position in the run up to the December 5 internal elections.
Another contender for the UNC crown, former UNC chief whip Dr Roodal Moonilal, resigned that post in order to campaign for the UNC political leader position against incumbent, former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Last month, the Sunday Guardian reported that Bharath was being courted to contest the leadership post. He confirmed then that while he had been approached, he had to determine whether he was ready for the massive undertaking of rebuilding the party from the ground up.
His decision comes after Bharath held talks with his close inner circle, including his father, wife and children. Yesterday, Bharath met with UNC operatives before finally deciding to announce his run for the leadership post.
Bharath, the Sunday Guardian understands, has the blessing of several long-time UNC insiders based on his business acumen and his political savvy. Attempts to contact UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday via cell phone were unsuccessful.