Bharath returns to the UNC

Former government minister Vasant Bharath has seemingly put aside his differences with the UNC and its political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and is once again trying to take an active role in the party.

Bharath fell out of favour with the party after he challenged Persad-Bissessar for the political leader position in 2020 in a bitter, and brutal campaign. He repeatedly called the internal election process a “sham” and declined to contest any other election since, including last month’s internal poll.

However, on Friday night he posted a statement to his Facebook page saying he was ready to work with the party again.

“My past differences with the UNC leadership pale in comparison to the pervasive issues that plague the country under the incompetent and corrupt hands of the People’s National Movement,” he said, adding that Persad-Bissessar demonstrated “ultimate leadership” by setting aside personal differences.

He said she asked him to “join hands to rebuild” the nation together.

Bharath praised Persad-Bissessar’s leadership, saying her approach was always to place people at the heart of her policies.

“Under the UNC we made significant strides in enhancing healthcare, driving economic growth and adopting a more inclusive approach to governance that truly prioritised the needs of our citizens,” he said.

“This is not just about politics, it is about building a future that we can all be proud of,” Bharath said to close his announcement. “Together we can make a difference and create a brighter future for Trinidad and Tobago.”

Guardian Media asked Bharath what position he would like to hold in the party, especially given the upcoming election.

He said: “No official capacity. Just lending my support to ensure a UNC victory whenever elections are called.”

It’s unclear just how mutual the feeling is though. Despite Bharath’s announcement online, there has been (up to press time) no reciprocation on the UNC’s social media channels, welcoming him back. Sources within the party said Bharath’s announcement was shared on the UNC’s Facebook page but later removed.

Bharath may have made up with Persad-Bissessar but there may be some tension with members of the party.

In March 2023, Bharath claimed he was propositioned by women working for a party colleague while he was in the party.

At the time, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher had just announced that a special team had been set up to probe allegations that a UNC member was accused of involvement in human trafficking in 2012.

“I was subject to and propositioned by girls who were apparently working on behalf of somebody who is a current sitting Member of Parliament, and I know for a fact that other Cabinet members had also been propositioned. I was told at the time the Prime Minister was aware of these activities,” Bharath had said at the time.

The person is still a sitting member of Parliament and was a member of the Star Team slate in the internal election held on June 15.

Bharath’s move to rejoin the party was strongly condemned by his once ally in trying to unseat Persad-Bissessar, former UNC minister Dr Devant Maharaj.

In a statement, Maharaj said: “How ironic it is that Bharath, who has spent years vehemently decrying Persad-Bissessar’s leadership as the very reason for the UNC’s prolonged exile from power, now finds himself kneeling before her, a symbol of political hypocrisy and moral decay.”

Maharaj said Bharath failed to reignite a disillusioned party through “rigged elections that stifled his ambitions” and now “Bharath has chosen the path of least resistance.”

“Like so many spineless political opportunists before him, he has swallowed his pride and returned to the fold, all the while pretending that his actions are driven by a higher purpose,” Maharaj said.

Bharath declined to respond to Maharaj saying only that everyone was entitled to their opinions.

CREDIT: https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/bharath-returns-to-the-unc-6.2.2062787.3a7cc7bf26