Likening Sat Maharaj to a blushing bride waiting to be wooed by the PNM, Barataria/San Juan MP Dr Fuad Khan says he is waiting to see how much money the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha gets from the Government now that he has publicly called on Hindus to disassociate from the UNC.
Responding to Maharaj's condemnation of Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for supporting a Muslim OJT teacher Nafisah Nakhid, Khan said he expected that kind of response from Maharaj.
"It is always better not to anger anybody who is at the level of Sat Maharaj. The Hindu base that follows Sat, most of them have died off. The young Hindu really and truly don’t listen to Sat these days," Khan said.
"I hope Sat is not just doing this so that the PNM will feel they could woo him and send more money to the Maha Sabha. I hope its not an excuse for him to be the blushing bride who says I’m available for wooing so send change into my coffers. Let us now look to see how much money he getting from Government."
However, Khan said he agreed with one thing Maharaj said. "I agree with him that people should vote based on what they could do for the country and not based on the religion. At least some sense comes out of his mouth sometimes. That is the only way that people can go forward, when they stop voting based on a religion. I never believed in that."
They will disregard his call—Lee
Meanwhile, Pointe-a-Pierre MP and former UNC chairman Dr David Lee said people will disregard Maharaj's call for disassociation with the UNC.
"I think the citizenry is well educated and I'm sure that when the time comes they will know the correct leader and party," Lee said.
Asked whether the other UNC MP's were in support of Persad-Bissessar's stance, Lee said the UNC caucus had not met on the matter. He said Persad-Bissessar will speak on the issue today when she attends a function at St Joseph.
Maharaj: Regret what?
Responding to Khan yesterday, Maharaj said Fuad should publish the survey he did which shows young Hindus no longer followed his teachings. With regard to his comment about Maharaj waiting to be wooed by the PNM, Maharaj said "Khan is a chameleon. He should ask how much money ASJA is getting from the PNM, how much money the other Muslim groups are getting. Whatever the boards get is in the public accounts and Fuad Khan can check it." Asked whether he regretted his statements about Persad-Bissessar and if he intends to apologise, Maharaj said "Regret what? I am responding to an attack on our integrity and freedom to worship. I won't speculate about that apology."