By Sue-Ann Wayow
AS the United National Congress (UNC) internal election drawers near, former political leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) Jack Warner is advising its membership to vote against its present leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Warner, in an audio recording that is being shared on social media publicly endorsed her competitor Vasant Bharath.
Warner said, “Dear friends, my name is Jack Warner your former member of Parliament who you have said in the past has been the best MP you ever had. Today I urge you to vote for Vasant Bharath as political leader of the UNC and if you do that once again you have me in your corner. I urge you to do what is right for the party and country.”
Warner, a former UNC stalwart was member of Parliament for Chaguanas West and Minister of Works and Transport.
Additionally, former government minister Carlos John said Persad-Bissessar should bow out of her leadership position gracefully.
John, told AZPNews.com that her competitor, Vasant Bharath was a man who was passionate about party, country and strategic change who could get the party working as it should again, adding that a metamorphosis has begun in the UNC and the party should begin to embrace its change.
The former minister who served under the UNC’s founder Basdeo Panday administration said, “I believe everything in life has a cycle. When change comes, we need to embrace it. We are already seeing a metamorphosis in the party with so many young people coming up. I see it for the good of the party and the country going forward.”
John who is now 72, has been out of politics for almost 20 years.
About Persad-Bissessar he said, “We must commend her for the work she has done and we must build on what she has already done. But we should also give Vasant a chance and see how he performs before we can anoint him. Persad-Bissessar she has had a very rocky and turbulent road and she must be tired and burnt out.”
He added, “There is nothing better than enjoying life and relaxing.”
The UNC internal elections is carded to take place on Sunday.
