(Trinidad Guardian) The United National Congress and its MPs want everyone to put last Sunday’s elections behind and unite to fight the People’s National Movement as one.
But UNC leadership challenger Dr Fuad Khan says he feels like packing his political bags and running far away from the alleged lack of principles in the “sham elections before the stench from that exercise overpowers me.”
The different positions emerged yesterday following the National Executive elections where Khan lost to incumbent leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar.
Khan, who queried Persad-Bissessar’s claim that 13,000 people turned out in the election, believes the PNM is “here to stay” due to alleged irregularities in the UNC’s election.
Sources said Persad-Bissessar got 11,700-plus votes and Khan “didn’t reach 1,000.”
Also, Ramona Ramdial and Glenn Ramadharsingh, who contested the posts of elections officer and party organiser, didn’t get more than 500, it was claimed.
Persad-Bissessar, declaring victory Sunday night, said she was advised 13,000 came out to vote and 97 per cent of the vote was in her Star team’s favour. She didn’t answer calls yesterday.
The party, in a congratulatory statement to her team, stated, “Now it is time to put the internal elections behind, unite and work together as one party to defeat the PNM and win the next local and general elections, whenever they are held.”
Several UNC constituencies also congratulated Persad-Bissessar, calling for forward momentum and unity.
It was Persad-Bissessar’s latest re-election since beating UNC founder Basdeo Panday in 2010.
Yesterday, election team chairman Ramesh Persad-Maharaj said ballot boxes were incoming until 2.30 am and results were still being collated. He said many presiding officers had difficulty getting to the UNC’s office in South to bring results on Sunday. An official declaration will be made Friday
Persad-Maharaj said voter turnout was “a bit low due to the weather” and was around 13,000.
Khan said the election was designed, “… Make the leader and her slate look as a convincing win.”
He alleged there was fraud with electoral lists and continued lobbying. We counted 8000 votes at the final but all of a sudden it became 13000?! I don’t feel comfortable working with people who are comfortable with such lack of principles of fairness. I’ll never support such people. The party will only be in descent to its demise,” Khan said.
“I haven’t made a decision (on leaving UNC) but I’m very upset at the level of what can be done, without free fair elections. It’s left a bitter taste in my mouth. I feel sorry for members subjected to such deceit. It’s strange many colleagues could sit in those positions and feel comfortable with the disgusting things in our party,”