PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Winston Dookeran yester-day quit as political leader of the opposition United National Congress (UNC) and launched a new party, ending months of public quarrel with top members of the opposition over direction and leadership.

Dookeran made the announce-ment to step down in front of a crowd of about 20,000 people at the Centre of Excellence in east Trinidad where he launched the Congress of the People.

He also told his supporters the "work now start" to get the country's newest party to the seat of power at Whitehall.

Dookeran listed the names of a number of former politicians who he said had joined his party.

Thousands of supporters, some with placards, some with banners, others with pro-Winston Dookeran T-shirts, flocked the venue for the launch of the party.

"We had put out chairs for 10,000 people and much more turned out than we expected," said Nirad Tewarie, communications aide to Dookeran.

The music of singer David Rudder, a live steelband group as well as African drummers entertained the crowd.

Two members from the audience presented resolutions asking for Dookeran to form a new political party.

Dookeran had been threatened with expulsion from the UNC against the background of claims that he was operating a parallel political organisation.