Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has said there is no plot to prevent MPs Jack Warner or Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj from contesting the leadership of the party in its upcoming internal elections.

A person who is before the party’s disciplinary committee cannot contest positions in the internal party elections.

This means that Warner, a deputy political leader of the UNC, could be stripped of this title, which he also shares with Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition Senator Wade Mark.

Both Warner and Maharaj repeatedly argued that this was the intent of Panday and the Executive. Maharaj, after he was asked to answer to charges levelled against him, said in his letter of response that this was a move to ensure that Panday was unopposed in the internal elections and retains the leadership.

Questioned on this allegation on Friday, Panday said: ’Mr Warner and his colleagues are only trying to mash up the party, they are trying to destabilise it, but no matter what they do they will not be successful.’

He added: ’If Mr Warner and Mr Maharaj had one ounce of decency, one iota of respect, they would resign their seats and fight a by-election to determine whether they are worthy of leadership or even members of Parliament and that they did not get there on the strength of the UNC.’

Both Warner and Maharaj have threatened legal action given the Executive’s decision to refer them to the disciplinary committee, which could lead to their suspension or expulsion from the party.