Tuesday, October 20 2009

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UNITY HUG: Winston Dookeran, right, Political Leader of the Congress of the People (COP), and Austin Jack Warner, UNC MP for Chaguanas West, greet eac...

CONGRESS of the People (COP) Political Leader, Winston Dookeran, yesterday said he will consider an invitation extended to him by the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) to attend its national congress at Rienzi Complex, Couva on Sunday.

Dookeran confirmed that his office received the invitation, but he has not seen it, or considered whether or not he will attend the congress.

The COP leader added that he needed to consult with members of the party first before he makes his decision.

Dookeran made the comment 24 hours after he delivered the feature address at a Divali celebration in Marchin Village which was held by renegade UNC Chaguanas West MP, Jack Warner.

Warner, Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, and Mayaro MP Winston “Gypsy” Peters have been at odds with Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday and the rest of the UNC’s leadership for their public calls for change in the UNC.

Addressing the gathering on Sunday, Dookeran hailed Warner as “an exemplary parliamentarian and a true patriot of our country.” “I know Jack Warner loves Trinidad and Tobago,” he declared. Dookeran said the restlessness in the country’s politics is because “our leaders have severely violated the principle of unity in diversity.” He said the COP was founded on this principle and has opened its doors to all citizens. “We must not fear the future, but we must now shape it. Unity is the need of the hour today,” Dookeran said.