(Trinidad Express) Basdeo Panday, who has lost the chance to be a candidate for the Couva North constituency he represented for 34 years, still has political aspirations.

He said on Tuesday he was considering running as an independent candidate.

And the only person he would run against would be Jack Warner.

Panday, 76, also, believes the United National Congress (UNC), under the leadership of Kamla Persad Bissessar, has a good chance of winning government.

Panday’s failure to submit nomination papers by Monday’s deadline means his career as an elected politician is all but over.

But he said on Tuesday, “I am planning to fight Jack Warner as an independent in any seat that he intends to contest.”

Panday said the reason he will oppose Warner in the election is, “I don’t want to inflict Warner any more on the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Panday said, “Contrary to the general belief that I am quitting politics, let me tell you, I did not say I am not going to contest the election. I am considering my option to fight against Jack Warner as an independent, at any stage he is nominated by the party to fight.”

Panday gave a reason for not filing nomination papers.

“Do you think I should be screened by Jack Warner, a man for whom I do not have any respect? No. It will be humiliating.”

He said Warner should not only be removed from the screening committee… he should be removed completely from the UNC. “Why should I inflict Warner on the electorate?” he asked. Panday said during his campaign he would tell voters all he knew about Warner.

When asked why he has such bitter feelings against Warner, Panday said, “It all has to do with the thirty million dollars…”

UNC Deputy Political Leader Suruj Rambachan and party activist Sunil Ramjitsingh are to be screened for the Couva North seat.