SEAN DOUGLAS Sunday, April 30 2006

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A cross-section of the crowd who marched to show support for Dookeran" ...

Dookeran says he is not quitting

UNITED National Congress (UNC) Political Leader Winston Dookeran yesterday vowed to stay the course however tough, in an emotional affirmation to supporters just 24 hours after moving to the back benches of Parliament.

“There shall be no turning back whatever are the obstacles; we shall overcome,” he declared.

His UNC St Augustine Constituency held a 300-strong march of support from Eddie Hart Grounds in Tacarigua to his nearby home at Country Road in Trincity.

A visibly emotional Dookeran, accompanied by his wife Shirley, said he was very touched by the encouragement given to him by the supporters. He thanked them for coming to tell him that he must not give up on the politics of Trinidad and Tobago.

Some say Dookeran has been repeatedly humiliated by Panday supporters at recent rallies at Mid Centre Mall and the Rienzi Complex, and by being bypassed for the post of Leader of the Opposition, after all of which his only reaction was to move to the back benches in Parliament.

Showing no bitterness, Dookeran hailed the work of UNC founder Basdeo Panday. He said he was very happy Panday had been released from jail on bail and wished him strength and courage for the political fight for the future of Trinidad and Tobago and his own well-being.

Saying problems within the UNC had led him to the back benches, Dookeran said: “We must be able to create an alternative government of Trinidad and Tobago from wherever I sit — the front or the back benches.”

He said he has always been committed to building a strong, proud country. People, he said, no longer want bad behaviour in public office.

“Your presence here today shows that people will stand up for decency in public life.” Politics, he said, is all about getting into office to serve the interests of the country’s people of which the first charge is to unite the whole country.

“I’m under some strain with respect to how we move forward,” he said, adding that he was meeting the people to be guided by their aspirations.

“You came to me to tell me to stay on, to hold the fort, and to travel the road.”

He said yesterday’s show of support could be a major turning point in the political history of Trinidad and Tobago.

“I hope that today you witness the beginning of the new politics of Trinidad and Tobago. We will maintain decency, decorum, peace and stability.”

The new politics, he said, must include everyone: “Your very presence inspires me in my heart to carry on with the job that you want me to do — thank you for coming to inspire me.

“There shall be no turning back, whatever the obstacles. We shall overcome.”

Dookeran said he was committed to rescuing the nation so children could grow up in safety.

“I know the road shall be difficult, but with your support we are on the path of victory in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

Among those on hand to demonstrate their support for the beleaguered UNC political leader were Caroni East MP Ganga Singh, UNC Senator Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, Ken Emrith, former diplomat Stephen Kangal, Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran, Captain Gary Griffith, former Minister of National Security Joseph Toney, former High Commissioner to Brazil Robert Torry, Miguel Bermudez, and cricket administrator Alloy Lequay.

Hailing Dookeran, Ramsaran said: “Have you ever felt under a tonne of bricks and the next morning you got up feeling free, free, free from situations where you have to bury your conscience, and then comes a man who says to move with integrity and ethics?”

He said Dookeran was not a messiah but simply a good human being who could lead Trinidad and Tobago to “the Promised Land.”

Toney said Dookeran supporters face many challenges, but yesterday’s crowd showed that many people will share the burdens and challenges with Dookeran.

Singh hit out at Panday’s “bunch of sycophants” and said they should get out of their political slumber.

Griffith, who has switched support from Dookeran to Panday to Dookeran, said for him the final straw was the UNC executive’s refusal to let Dookeran address the recent pro-Panday rally at the Rienzi Complex.