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The quest for a Panday successor

By Suzanne Mills, Newsday

The subject of a successor for Basdeo Panday has, like the proverbial Damocles sword, been hanging over the United National Congress (UNC) for the past 18 months, for the question of an heir to Panday has threatened to lop off the head of anyone who seeks to occupy the chief’s chair. Indeed, on one occasion, it did.

The issue has also cut a deep rent in the fabric of the Rising Sun party.

It was Panday himself who drew first blood, when on his return from a medical check-up in London last year, he announced he was permitting his MPs and Ministers to vie for posts in the party’s nearing executive election.

In so doing, the UNC leader intentionally or inadvertently, opened the wound in his party and government, which had been festering for a while; that is, the philosophical chasm that existed between his inner Cabinet — composed principally of the Johnny come Lately oligarchy — and the old guard. His decision would culminate in a schism of the party so profound, it would eventually lead to the premature end of his second-term UNC administration.

Till May 2001, everyone had assumed that Panday’s lieutenant, then Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj would eventually inherit the UNC throne. Even Maharaj himself did. Everyone, except those who knew Panday and realised that he never really wanted Maharaj, or anyone of any charisma, for that matter, to be his inheritor. When he, Panday was dead, the AG and the others could fight over the spoils.

Furthermore, how could he lend his support to Maharaj when, despite the public impression that they were close, the two men were at extreme odds over Panday’s handling of allegations of Government corruption?

If there eventually was a successor, it would be someone he could control, one who agreed with his fiscal policies and one who would elevate him, Panday to the office of President, a position it was rumoured the UNC leader coveted. Panday needed a person like Carlos John, his malleable, popular, Afro-Trinidadian Minister of Works to occupy the deputy leadership. Panday said he was supporting Carlos because of the UNC’s need to demonstrate it was a party of inclusion, but many felt he was simply serving himself and the parasitic oligarchy, now one and the same. He had selected new over old friend, a decision for which he would pay a dear price.

In May last year, many political observers questioned why Panday chose to do what he did, that is, reverse his earlier position on separating party from Government.

The UNC leader gave as his reason the fact that he felt that his former policy had left the people on the ground alienated. Some commentators concluded that the rigours of office were taking their toll on the ageing politician, already evidenced by his sudden collapse that month and his subsequent trip to London for a check up on his “bad” heart.

Panday himself gave the impression that his health no longer permitted him to continue at the same pace. Some suspected however, that he was artfully setting the stage for picking a deputy leader in the UNC election, his own choice for successor to give him the Presidency when this came up for grabs the following year, in March 2002.

The UNC membership voted for Maharaj in the party race, against their leader’s wishes. In response, Panday made it clear Maharaj was not the rising son. He overturned their decision.

From that moment on, the party was in trouble and worse, Panday’s command was in question, even though he banished Maharaj from the UNC and declared the matter of his stewardship a non-issue. Neither Maharaj nor the rebellion against his authority would go away.

The question of Panday’s management of the party resurfaced stronger than ever on the eve of the 2002, October 7 general election. Gossip was that many wanted him to step down, believing he would hurt, not enhance the party’s chances in the poll. The 18/18 tie of December 2001, which saw the UNC lose office, was already being blamed on his arrogance toward the populace’s queries over Government corruption and the split with Maharaj. Panday’s star was definitely fading. UNC financiers and many of the party’s members desired an alliance with other opposition parties to defeat the People’s National Movement. They particularly wished a merger with the expelled Maharaj, now leader of his own National Team Unity.

But Panday insisted Maharaj was a traitor. There would be no happy reunions, no return of the prodigal rising son.

Former Central Bank Governor and Panday political ally, Winston Dookeran was drafted to give the UNC a fresh image, but also to lend the impression that he, Dookeran was heir apparent.

During the campaign, Panday hinted that he wanted to go, stirring the faithful at meetings to beg him to stay. But Panday never had any intention of passing the baton to Dookeran. The UNC, to the delight of the PNM, went into the election with Panday at the helm, and as predicted, lost.

Shortly after the 2002 defeat, Panday again announced that he wanted to depart. The question of his successor was in the air once more, though many observers guessed that Panday was grand charging and they wondered if he wasn’t saying that he was, to temporarily appease disappointed and angry supporters and financiers. Not to mention some of his MPs.

Touted as possible candidates for leadership since October 7, 2002, have been MPs, Dookeran, Gerald Yetming, Ganga Singh, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Roodal Moonilal, Fuad Khan, and former MP Carlos John. And of course, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, who has refused to retire to the “political cemetery”, where Panday sent him.

Singh is said to be Panday’s favourite if he is forced to step down, as like John, he can be controlled by Panday.

All the MPs, as did Maharaj, denied they were after the job, though undoubtedly, both they and he crave it. But they were merely treading carefully towards the throne, while keeping a watchful eye on the Damocles blade.

Panday permitted the speculation over his authority to continue, until earlier this week when he let the sword fall.

Trinidad and Tobago News

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