By LAUREL V WILLIAMS Tuesday, August 17 2010

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Winston Dookeran...

ACTING Prime Minister Winston Dookeran was honoured last weekend by members of the Congress of the People (COP) for his contributions to the political party and country, by extension.

It was an evening of appreciation hosted by members of the COP under the auspices of newly- appointed San Fernando mayor. The function took place at Paria Suites in La Romaine.

Addressing the gathering Dookeran expressed happiness for the support he received from persons in electing the People’s Partnership (PP) into government.

Jokingly he recalled that during the 1990-attempted coup he was approached by a gunman. Dookeran recalled that the “gentleman” held the gun at his head and asked him (Dookeran) his portfolio.

“I said well I am the Minister of Planning and he responded, “I sure you did not plan for this one.” And I am sure after the last election, (Patrick) Manning said he was not ready for the partnership. The whole country now is breeding a new sigh of relief,” Dookeran said.

He boasted that with the previous Manning-led PNM administration out of the government, PP has created something in this country that people thought was not possible. He admitted that a lot of hard work still needs to be done, but congratulated supporters for their support.

“The Partnership’s experience is an expression of new politics in TT, and therefore we have a lot of work to do... We have broken backbone politics in TT. I know how proud you are. When I was asked to act as Prime Minister, the pride was really in the people,” Dookeran said.

San Fernando’s Mayor Marlene Coudray urged supporters to work together so that Sando, as it is also called, becomes a city that persons all envisioned. “I want to thank everyone for supporting us as a council.