The political drama inside the United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) is heating up fast, with lawsuits and accusations flying from all directions. Former Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow has come out swinging, accusing his successor, Lee Mark Chang, of voter fraud. Barrow, who recently lost his seat to Chang in a bitter internal battle, says he’s ready to take the matter to court. But Chang isn’t backing down. In fact, he’s threatening to sue Barrow for defamation over comments made during a press conference, where Barrow allegedly linked him to a passport scandal. Chang’s legal team is demanding a public apology and $5,000 in damages—or they’ll take it to court and ask for up to fifty thousand dollars. Meanwhile, the U.D.P.’s internal tensions don’t stop there. Party Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton is also threatening legal action—this time against the party’s Deputy Chair, Alberto August. She says August is refusing to call a National Party Council meeting, something she insists he’s obligated to do. If he doesn’t act by a timely manner, she says she’ll ask the court to force his hand.
Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia
“If he takes me to court or takes us to court, it is what it is and the court will decide what is our fate.”
Marion Ali
“Do you feel as if though – if it does end up before a judge, it could reach as far as having a by-election?”
Lee Mark Chang
“First of all, the word fraud whe dehn dh claim – we went in as U.D.P. candidates and the constituents wi nuh win by one or two votes. We win by two to one. If I have to do it again, it will happen again and it’ll be the same verdict, just that he wa look bad again after this.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“There was no fraud as he alleges, but the legal system is there for any citizen of this country to utilize as they see fit. So that’s entirely his prerogative.”
Reporter
“Can you comment as well on the letter that was leaked to Alberto August asking for an N.P.C. and if the N.P.C. is failed to call, you stating that you will step down or focus your efforts more on being the Leader of the Opposition as opposed to the leadership of the party?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“Let me say this: Tracy Panton is going nowhere. I am here to fight to ensure that the democracy in this country prevails. I am going to fight to the best of my ability to ensure that the needs and concerns of the people are heard. Alberto August as the Vice Chairman ante has a duty, an obligation, a responsibility to convene the N.P.C. It has been petitioned, so he has no discretion where that is concerned, I will not be held hostage to a vice chairman status quo ante, who refuses to do his job. I will not be undermined by a vice chairman status quo ante, and I will certainly not yield to a madman.”
Reporter
“So what’s the next step if the N.P.C. meeting isn’t called?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“I believe the N.P.C. meeting will be called. And if the N.P.C. meeting is not called, we will have to take the matter to court and have the court compel Mr. August to hold the N.P.C. meeting.”
Reporter
“But you’re not planning to step down from leadership of the party?”
Tracy Taegar-Pantion
“Where did you get that idea from?”
Reporter
“Just what they quote said in the letter.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“I just answered your question. Tracy Panton is going nowhere. I have the confidence and support of my colleagues. I certainly have the support of the public at large. I will not be held hostage. I will not be undermined. And Mr. August has a duty and a responsibility to execute and if he loves the party as much I, as I believe he does, and as much as he advocates that he does, he will call the NPC.”