"Mr Panday, the door is open, you can leave!" That's the "invitation" which acting Chief Whip Harry Partap extended to former UNC leader Basdeo Panday at Wednesday's parliamentary caucus when Panday and other MPs called for an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the recent UNC election.
After Partap's remark, however, he (Partap) withdrew the statement and apologised for it. UNC MP Kelvin Ramnath, who complained about the new leadership's refusal to entertain the public inquiry, yesterday noted Partap's comment to Panday. And Panday, as well, said he had noted Partap's "rudness." (sic). Other members of the executive and caucus also spoke about it – some lauding Partap for being "strong," others criticising the remark. Yesterday, Partap refused to deny or confirm he had told Panday to leave. Partap said he did not want to comment on the investigation issue further since leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar already had spoken about it. Partap acted as party whip, chairing UNC's parliamentary caucus on Wednesday in the absence of new whip Jack Warner, who left for Zurich on football business on Tuesday.
Partap said yesterday Warner was expected back in time for today's Lower House sitting where an Elections and Boundaries 2009 order will be debated. The order prescribes polling station shifts to several constituencies. Partap said UNC MP Subhas Panday – head of UNC's Local Government planning team – would lead off Opposition reply in the debate. However, the Opposition team would appear in the House today amid the backdrop of Wednesday's contentious caucus where former leader Panday, his brother Subhas, daughter Mickela and UNC Senator Adesh Nanan left after their motion for an investigation into UNC's election was refused by Partap and the new UNC administration. If Warner does not arrive in time for today's House, Partap, as acting whip, may have to sit next to Panday (in the whip's front row seat) since Panday confirmed he would attend today's House. Ramnath said yesterday he also left Wednesday's caucus due to the "arrogance of acting whip Partap." Ramnath added: "It is now clear that anything Panday raises they will put it down and they are going to lengths to discredit and disrespect him.