UNC out to split ‘RamJackG’By RICHARDSON DHALAI Saturday, August 8 2009
click on pic to zoom in
Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj...
THE decision by the UNC’s national executive to give Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner another opportunity to state why he should not be taken before the party’s disciplinary committee, while both Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Mayaro MP Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters, were sent to that committee, was described by Maharaj yesterday as an attempt to divide the so-called ‘RamJackG’ faction of the party.
UNC political leader Basdeo Panday stated that both Maharaj and Peters were referred to the disciplinary committee following their non-appearance at a special meeting of the national executive on Thursday at Rienzi Complex, Couva.
Warner who was also absent from Thursday’s party executive meeting had earlier sent the party a letter stating he would be unable to attend and he suggested an alternative date when he and an attorney would attend a meeting. A decision on Warner was deferred to next week.
UNC acting general secretary Glen Ramadharsingh, in an email sent to Warner yesterday, stated that the party’s national executive has agreed to continue the inquiry into allegations against him at the next meeting to be held next Thursday at 5 pm.
“This is the third time that you have refused to attend hearings of the above-captioned matter, particulars of which have been supplied to you since July 24th, 2009,” Ramdaharsingh’s email stated.
“In the circumstances, if you are unable to attend the hearing of the above matter on Thursday August 13th, 2009 at 5 pm, you may submit your response to the allegations made against you in writing,” Ramadharsingh’s email stated.
However, in an emailed response, Warner who is presently in Nigeria as FIFA business in his capacity at FIFA vice president, once again informed Ramadharsingh that he (Warner) would not attend any inquiry until several concerns he has are addressed.
“Please be advised that I shall not be attending the inquiry to which you refer until and unless the various matters re my response to the Natex (national executive) for which I have requested clarification and answers, have been met,” Warner stated in his email reply.
Speaking from the Cayman Islands yesterday, Maharaj stated that the national executive was hell bent on dividing ‘RamJackG’ and to “make confusion” between Warner, himself and Peters. “This is an attempt to make confusion between Warner and the two of us but I will speak more on this matter at a public meeting on August 14,” Maharaj promised.
“But I am not worried or concerned by the actions of the national executive because it will be declared wrong by the rank and file of the party and it will also be declared wrong legally by the courts,” he added.
Maharaj reiterated that the national executive did not possess the authority or mandate to refer the three men to the disciplinary committee, saying the Panday-led executive was acting ultra vires (outside) of the party’s constitution. Maharaj is expected to return to Trinidad on August 12.
The main charges against the three men relate to their decision to vote for several government bills in the last session of Parliament.
