Congress of the People’s Kevin Ratiram says former COP leader Winston Dookeran had said he would consider an appeal for him to return as leader when he was approached about it a few weeks ago. Ratiram said while he and a group had spoken to Dookeran on returning, others had also spoken to Dookeran over a course of months. He said he felt Dookeran was the best choice for the party’s healing. Ratiram said, however, that Dookeran’s statement gave his reasons on why he chose to do otherwise.
Ratiram, who is an aldermen in the San Fernando Corporation, said Dookeran’s statement endorsed COP chairman Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and he also considered her an excellent choice for leader. He said he would support her. He confirmed he and other members were campaigning for general election in Seepersad-Bachan’s San Fernando West seat recently.
COP executive member Kirt Sinnette said he would also back Seepersad-Bachan for leader, as Dookeran always urged COP to look for leaders and since T&T “believed the COP had fallen down due to Ramadhar’s leadership.” COP MP Rodger Samuel said he had not given Dookeran’s call for support for Seepersad-Bachan much thought. “I’m sure others are putting up names likewise. I’m just watching to see who’s in the race,” he added.
Rudy Hanamji, Satu Ramcharan and others who didn’t support Ramadhar, that includes his brother Kishore on the executive, have not responded on whether they would support Seepersad-Bachan over the incumbent. COP senators also have said where they would place their support.