Independent Liberal Party (ILP) leader Jack Warner is undecided as to which seat he should contest in the September 7 general election.
Warner said so yesterday during a tour of Bangladesh, a squatting settlement in St Joseph.
Accompanied by a small group of ILP members, Warner said: "even as I stand before you now, I don't even know what seat I am fighting. That is the honest truth."
Chairman of the ILP Rekha Ramjit and Warner vowed that the ILP was here to stay.
"There will be no destruction of the ILP, come what may," Warner told reporters after his walkabout.
Warner said in the coming weeks he would announce his slate, many of whom will be young, to take the party forward.
"I have sewn a seed and it is now bearing fruit."
So far, only Nigel Reyes has been selected to fight the Bon Air/Lopinot West seat for the party, Warner disclosed.
Questioned who will finance the ILP, Warner said this would be done through "some friends and relatives" who will come up with donations.
The party will also host a lavish dinner to raise funds, Warner said.
"But what I am not doing is to get contractors' kickbacks."
Admitting that he pumped "millions" into the UNC's 2010 election campaign, Warner said he was now short on funds to finance his own party "since the UNC take all."
The only trouble is that "the UNC take all and they are ungrateful."
Warner said he expected the election to be brutal. "It will determine whether the country goes forward or backward," he added.
He said whatever happened after the election "I would say I tried or failed. I am telling you, I am going to take (fight) this election campaign like never before."
Warner baffled by$1 billion worth
While reports have surfaced that Warner was valued at TT$1 billion, the Chaguanas West MP said he was baffled by the estimation. "I don't know where they get that figure from."
Analysts weigh in...
On Friday, two political analysts–Dr Winford James and Maukesh Basdeo–said no executive member in the ILP was capable of ruling the party if Warner is extradited to the US to face corruption, fraud and bribery charges.
James: Things look bleak for ILP
James said if the ILP opted out of the election race, "they can still live to fight another day."
However, if Warner is extradited its executive would be faced with the task of selecting an individual who can resonate public appeal.
"They must be able to select a good leader who can energise people in different directions that the major parties are not doing."
James said he saw no one in the ILP who could take over from Warner.
"Jack is a phenomenon. He is a unique individual. I would say he is one of a kind. He can be replaced but not reproduced."
James said things also looked bleak for the ILP, as they were likely not to capture any seat at the polls.
He said the ILP was destined to do one thing–split votes.
"They can become spoilers for the UNC and PNM in marginal constituencies. They can rob them of votes. This can upset the fortunes of both political parties, but more so for the UNC."
Basdeo: None can walk in Warner's boots
Basdeo, on the other hand, said many scenarios could play out with Warner's party.
He said while the indictment would not prevent Warner from offering himself as a candidate, the allegations that have been surfacing can have a negative impact on his party and membership.
"If Warner is extradited before the election, the party would have to select a new leader. Who will be the new leader? Who will take up the mantle? Many people will consider themselves to be a leader, but will they have the capacity and charisma to take the party forward and increase its support base?"
Basdeo said there was no one in the party who could walk in Warner's boots: "The ILP is Warner and Warner is the ILP."
He said while the ILP had the option of fighting without Warner "the question is, without Warner what will be their chances? The party is built around Warner...he is the driving force behind the party."
Basdeo said there was also a high probability that more ILP members would resign should more evidence be unearthed against Warner.