“A desperate grab for power.”
Those were the words used by former UNC minister and activist Dr Devant Maharaj, following the return to the UNC fold of Jack Warner.
Maharaj, in a GML report, said the development was concerning and he questioned Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s willingness to raise “the politically dead” to strengthen her party, describing it as a desperate grab for power.
He said: “The recent shift in the allegiance of former ministers Warner, Gary Griffith, and Fuad Khan from opposing to full support of Mrs Persad-Bissessar’s leadership has to raise concerns about the principles and values that guide politicians and political parties.”
“These are the same politicians she threw away in the 2015 and 2020 general elections, and their return to the fold also raises questions about her commitment to principles and values.
“Her approach to building a broad-based coalition based on resurrecting politicians she previously discarded can be seen as a desperate grab for power. Her actions raise questions about commitment to principles and values and suggest she’s willing to compromise on principles to gain power,” he added.
Maharaj said the shift appears to be motivated solely by the desire to defeat the PNM.
“Warner was discarded and pilloried by the UNC leading him to form his own party. Griffith was rejected by the UNC when they didn’t support his nomination as Police Commissioner.
“Khan along with Fazal Karim, Bhoe Tewarie, Surujrattan Rambachan et al were all cast aside like used toilet paper for the 2020 general election.
“Will Jack, Gary and Fuad now be sitting around the table with Ratiram, Ram, Ameen, Mark, and others who only hours ago they were complaining about?” Maharaj asked.