By RICHARD LORD, Express

Within 24 hours of an attack seemingly aimed at him by his political leader, Dr Fuad Khan last night warned that he still has a conscience vote which he may exercise in the future, a veiled suggestion that he might break with his party and vote with the ruling PNM.

Panday had looked directly at Khan, the MP for San Juan /Barataria, as he scolded "top UNC members" for attempting to encourage a return to the party by Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, now leader of the National Unity party.

Monday's meeting held at the Rienzi Complex was called to report on the UNC's party's activities following its October 7 general election defeat, but party insiders told the Express it was also called to end an internal movement to bring back Maharaj who was expelled last year.

Regarded as one of the people supporting Maharaj's return, Khan heard Panday charge that the leadership controversy was being encouraged not only by the media but by top party members.

"If there is anyone in the UNC who wants (as leader) the leader of that moribund team's treachery let them go and join that party," Panday declared.

Afterwards, Khan responded by saying that Panday may have felt he had to say the things he said and, in any case, "this thing is going to take off in the future. Let's wait and see. Nothing surprises me in politics".

He also insisted he was not about any leadership issue with Maharaj but was seeking to engender a process of healing.

Panday has been in unsparing mood on Monday:

"Some of our own members- and top members at that—let them humiliate us—when they should be attacking the PNM or looking after flood victims in their respective constituencies, they are entertaining interviews about whether someone who is not a member of this party and who is responsible for the party being in the position it is today, they are holding interviews on whether that person should lead this party."

That argument "no longer exists", Panday told the cheering meeting.

Later Panday refused to be drawn into any further comment, not even wanting to share his thoughts about a meeting held between Maharaj and Jack Warner, the Fifa vice-president and TTFF consultant long recognised as one of Panday's strongest supporters.

Several people held up anti-Ramesh placards at the Monday meeting.