This year marks 50 years since T&T attained the right to internal self-government (1956-1986). Out of this 50-year period an Indian-based political party held power for six years. The PNM ruled for 30 years without appointing a single Hindu as a government minister. The cry of rural neglect, alienation, marginalisation and discrimination affected the political psychology of Indians as they lost hope of ever winning a general election. The fact electoral boundaries were drawn to favour the PNM coupled with the perceived relative smallness in numbers created a defeatist attitude whereby Indian politics was confined to an internal struggle to see which faction could “win” opposition.

The “recalcitrant minority” is no more, however, and the political state and future of Indo-Trinidadian politics is bleak. Everyone wants to be a leader but no one wants to provide leadership. We continue to compete among ourselves while others run off with the political trophy. Kamla wants to meet Winston while Ramesh is now an “official” member of the UNC. Panday is hovering in the background like a brooding omnipresence in the political sky. Ramesh has finally gotten a political home after his weary excursion in the political wilderness. Having a home though, doesn’t necessarily mean that he has a family. Not just yet. Time will tell.

As we celebrate Indian Arrival Day, there is a sadness and depression because of recent political developments. Panday’s conviction for failing to disclose a London bank account that contained a million-dollar deposit from a business magnate stunned everyone but hurt Indians badly. It is a stain many hope to see washed away in the court of appeal if only to appease the shock and disbelief. Whatever happens, his political future doesn’t look good. His political fortunes have taken a turn for the worse.

Even if the stain of corruption can be washed away, Panday’s age and fragile health means change is inevitable and imminent. Unfortunately, the UNC seems well-poised for a major dogfight because of the lack of proper succession planning. In the meantime, Dookeran is finally doing the right thing. He has been quietly earning and proving his credentials for political leadership by holding nationwide cottage meetings with a vibrant and refreshing new set of young speakers. The introduction of the youthful talent on the platform is having a positive effect. He is gaining momentum and attracting a mixed and balanced crowd that comprises non-traditional UNC supporters as well.

Kamla and company may very well find themselves in the unenviable position of clinging onto Panday’s political ghost because she is surrounded by political laziness. The UNC is a party where very few people work. Most are content to laze around and simply “make up numbers.” Drafting a press release on any national issue would be a Herculean task. They take no initiative and would probably not find the position of opposition MP unattractive.

They constantly delude and fool themselves into political complacency by concentrating on the hardcore support, their short memory oblivious to the fact that the PNM won government by less than 1,200 votes in the key marginal seats.

These are the very marginal seats where the Kamla faction has not and cannot attract the key crossover or floating voters. And this is precisely what Dookeran brings. Without his support, the UNC will retain its dwindling core support which cannot bring victory against the almighty PNM. Dookeran is, in many ways, the political “X” factor.

The mood for this year’s Arrival Day celebrations is, therefore, understandably sombre. While most core supporters’ hearts are with Panday, their “head” is with Dookeran because they understand that political logic and reasoned analysis leads to the inescapable fact that the PNM will run away with the next general elections. They cannot betray Panday but cannot live and suffer under the PNM. A cursory glance at the employment section of the classifieds proves that the PNM has succeeded in creating a drastic shortage of labour because people are so delighted by the fact that they can get paid good money for doing next-to-nothing in Cepep that they refuse to actually work for living.

And it is not just about race; it is about the terrifying crime rate, billion-dollar stadium and carnival centre, under-financed homes for sexually abused children and the fact that you cannot even get a yard boy because of Cepep.