There was shock among members of the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) Friday after Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday fired one of his Senators.

Panday fired Robin Montano as a senator even as the internal battle rages over his announcement to bring former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj back into the party.

Panday had expelled Maharaj from the UNC after the two had a falling out in 2001, which brought down the UNC government.

At a press conference on Friday Montano said he felt this move had everything to do with Panday's decision to accept Lawrence Maharaj back into the political party.

"The leader of the opposition has today informed me that he is revoking my appointment as a senator. Although he gave me no reason for his decision, I believe it has everything to do with the fact that I had moved the motion on Wednesday last in the parliamentary arm of the UNC, opposing the resurrection of Ramesh Maharaj in the hierarchy of the party without the approval of the congress of the party, which had expelled him.

"I stand for morality, integrity and fair play. To bring him back into the party at this time and in this manner is a betrayal of the trust and confidence that has been generously been bestowed on the party Chairman."

Montano said he was shocked by the action of Panday.

He also said the decision was taken without consultation with the membership.

The former senator said, " the re-emergence of Ramesh Maharaj in the UNC, literally hanging on to the shirt tails of the Chairman, is akin to a marriage of convenience which may be in the Chairman's personal interest, but one which ignores the best interest of the party and the country. "

He said it also "ignores the tremendous injuries the great betrayer has put on the party and his supporters and the country, without an apology."

Montano predicted further division within the party over Maharaj's re-entry.

Montano is not the only member who is opposed to the move, but is joined by other senior members of the executive including the political leader, Winston Dookeran. Montano said despite his firing, "I remain as a member of the United National Congress and I remain a supporter of the party."