Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma defended his decision to remain at the UNC's Parliamentary caucus on Wednesday, saying he did not walk out with Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday because the meeting was not concluded.
In an interview yesterday, Sharma skirted questions about whether he supported Panday's call for a public inquiry of the party's January 24 internal elections in which Panday was defeated by a margin of ten to one by Kamla Persad-Bissessar for political leader. Asked whether he believed Panday had a right to walkout, Sharma said: "Everybody has a right to stay or leave. It is not a big deal and it is not a right and wrong issue. "If Mr Panday concluded that his contribution was not being taken into account then he chose to leave. The sitting goes for particular period and I stayed because the meeting was not concluded."
Asked whether he agreed with Panday's statements that Persad-Bissessar could not make decisions without UNC chairman Jack Warner, who was absent, Sharma said: "Mr Panday makes his decisions and he doesn't depend on anybody. Everybody makes decisions without anybody. "I am not aware that Kamla cannot make a decision without Mr Warner. If an issue requires an executive decision, then there will be consultation." Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, who also stayed at the meeting, could not be reached for comment.