Former chairman of opposition United National Congress (UNC), Austin Jack Warner, has dismissed call for his return to the party as it prepares for internal elections to appoint the leaders for the joint People’s Partnership coalition.
On Monday, former health minister Dr. Fuad Khan called on the party to bring back stalwarts such as former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Warner in order to be a credible alternative in 2020. Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar has launched her campaign for re-election, but Khan said he would not support her, suggesting a chairmanship instead.
Warner, who resigned as UNC chairman in 2013 and formed his own Independent Liberal Party (ILP), said he wanted to commend Dr, Khan “for his honesty and frankness on the matter …(but) I wish to make it very clear that I have no desire to rejoin the UNC in any capacity. The ILP is where I will invest my time, effort and love.”
Persad Bissessar is likely to face a challenge for the top UNC post from her former Housing Minister Dr. Roodial Moonilal and former communications minister Vasant Bharath, both who were absent during her re-election launch over the weekend.
