Rival supporters clashed during Sunday's congress of the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) as dissident members continued to press for internal elections within the party.

The dissidents, led by former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Austin 'Jack' Warner, the vice-president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), have accused party leader Basdeo Panday of hijacking the party and are demanding that the polls take place.

But Panday told supporters assembled at the Rienzi Complex in Port-of-Spain that the UNC would not be hijacked.

"We shall not succumb to thuggery. We shall not succumb to hate and violence," Panday said, telling the meeting that he accepted the blame for what occurred, having brought back Maharaj into the UNC.

"I plead guilty. I did it because I felt, at that time, it would help with the unity process. I don't regret doing it, I regret the result. I did not listen to you and now you must inflict on me whatever punishment you desire," he said.

UNC deputy leader Kamla Persad Bissessar accused Maharaj and Warner of planning to form their own political party.