Tag Archives: UNC

I am surprised that so many people are surprised by the termination of services—firing, suspension, the euphemistically-couched “sent on administrative leave”—of several senior government officials, the most prominent being Governor of the Central Bank, Jwala Rambarran. Clearing the politically-constructed State-stables of partisan appointees is a ritual that occurs every time …

By this morning the 2015 UNC leadership contest should be history. As it was proceeding, the usual bland salutation “may the best person win” did not seem appropriate. “May the best rigger win” came jokingly to mind. High profile figures in this internal election and others associated with their party …

You can call her “Queen KPB.” Well, she has been called worse. Former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar re-established herself as the number one in the number two party yesterday, as her “Team UNC” whipped Dr Roodal Moonilal’s “Team Loyalists” and Vasant Bharath’s “Team Reconnect” in the UNC’s internal election. It …

The battle for leadership of the UNC has ignited a discussion on leadership in a broader context, with the party’s founder, Basdeo Panday, weighing in on the issue. According to my columnist colleague Sheila Rampersad, Panday told her that Indians tend to seek a “pahalwan”—Hindi for warrior or strongman—to lead …

During an interview for the Industrial Court’s 50th anniversary publication, Journey to Gold, Basdeo Panday told me that ‘Indian people’ tend always to search for and support a pahalwan—a wrestler, gladiator or strongman—to fight on their behalf. ‘Bas’ himself was finely suited. He was a real wrestler donning the presidency …

The UNC leadership contest is boiling. Ostensibly the challenge to the political leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissesar is a revolt against her running the losing election 2015 campaign in which the party lost Government as “a one person show.” There is nothing odd about a member of a political party challenging …

Choosing a leader to take the United National Congress forward, backward, sideways, or keep it stagnated, is the business of members of the party. It is not for me, who never belonged to any party other than the original United Labour Front, and that very briefly, to tell UNC members …

My last two columns, one titled “Rowley rising” and the other “Lament for a falling leader”, were seen by many of my readers as being almost prophetic in the wake of last Monday’s election results. Had I made public another document in which I analysed the results in all 41 …

There were some enjoyable electoral cut tails on Monday last. Send me your favourite. Mine is Garvin Nicholas. Tell me too who or what is the new Government’s biggest problem after Jwala Rambarran, sitting like a Reshmi in the Central Bank. Following the 23-18 outcome of the general election in …

PHEW! FINALLY JAH! This period of electoral campaigning, which most certainly overstayed its welcome, has finally reached its conclusion! So we will now have a new Government which will be formed by Dr Keith Rowley and the PNM, having defeated the UNC/PP 23-18. This is a victory and a change …

Taxi for Kamla Persad-Bissessar! In the end, it transpired that Trinidad and Tobago was not the only thing that the UNC political leader had not been properly servicing. After a less than gracious concession speech, the Siparia MP hopped into “PM1”, only for the vehicle to refuse to budge. Who …

Scene: A haggard figure knocks firmly on a white, wooden door and then sits on the step to catch his breath. Suddenly, the door swings open and sends the visitor catspraddling into a parked car. A mystical figure emerges from behind the door… Patriot (shaken): Mr Live Wire, I presume? Live …