Kamla challenges Manning to call an election

Siparia MP Kamla Persad Bissessar shared the stage with her fellow members of the United National Congress (UNC) Monday and dared Prime Minister Patrick Manning to call an election.

She was speaking at the party's weekly Monday Night Forum (MNF) in Panday's Couva North Constitueny.

Some UNC suppoters had been hoping to hear her talk about running against her leader in internal election on January 24, 2010 but the former education minister steered clear of that and spoke about the failure of the current leadership in government and of the need for true leadership in the country.

Persad-Bissessar delivered a spirited attack on Manning, blaming him for the state of despair in Trinidad and Tobago today.

"Our nation is crying for leadership and for responsible Government accountable to the people. Manning’s days are numbered because he failed the leadership tests in every step of the way.

"So tonight, I serve notice on Mr Manning, your days are numbered. Mr Patrick, enjoy your last breakfastses at the mansion because we coming for you," she said.

While not endorsing Panday, she promised that the country will find the leadership it needs from within the UNC.

"The people are ready, the nation is ready. We have had enough. The people are crying out for a leader and I promise you tonight they will get the leadership from the United National Congress.

"I challenge you tonight to face the people and ask for a fresh mandate. I challenge you, Mr Manning, to call an election and face the people," she said.

Persad-Bissessar also spoke about unity, noting that it demands commitment to nation-building and harmony among the diverse population. She said while Manning was a divider of the people, the UNC embraced everyone. And she appealed for unity.

"We have room in our house of the rising sun for all of you who have had enough of Manning. We have room for our brothers and sisters who strayed to the Congress of the People. So tonight, I invite you to come home. Come home to a party that is going to form the next Government of Trinidad and Tobago," she said.

Staying on the theme of leadership, Persad-Bissessar said, "A true leader thinks about the big picture and the welfare of the citizens, not just his friends. A true leader listens to the voice of the people because the voice of the people is the voice of God."

And she had a parting shot for Manning. "Our Prime Minister masquerades as a man of God and lives like a man intoxicated with power," she said.

Persad-Bissessar is under extreme pressure from supporters, friends and advisers to challenge Panday for the leasdership of the UNC. They have been telling her that she is the only one in the party who can unite the opposition and defeat the People's National Movement (PNM).

Some of the UNC members who share that view attended the meeting Monday with placards in support of her. There were also posters in support of Panday proclaiming ’Bas is Boss’.

Persad-Bissessar has said she is thinking about whether to run and will make an announcement later in the week. So far Tabaquite MP Ramesh L. Maharaj is the only person running against Panday. He announced last weekend that he wants the party's top job, saying he is the only person who is capable of leading the party to victory against the PNM.