Kamla running independent campaign, says Panday, Ramesh part of UNC problem

Kamla Persad Bissessar reiterated Monday night that she is running an independent campaign for the leadership of the United National Congress (UNC).

And the Siparia MP vowed again that she would never let any organization “dismantle, swallow or assimilate” the party.

Persad-Bissessar was speaking at a public meeting in Barrackpore at which she outlined why she thinks she is the best candidate to lead the UNC.

She said the internal election is the first stage of a journey to take back the country from the PNM and create “a just society where everyone is equal, where children can go to school in peace, where families can live without fear, where our services and infrastructure are the best. We would create a just society where each individual – regardless of ethnicity, religion or class – is rewarded for her or his ability.”

She spoke about an endorsement from Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner but made it clear that he is not part of her campaign.

“I have no secret partners, I am self-funding and supplementing funds with donations from small financiers and fund raising. There is a “Kamla” and there is a “Jack” but they are not joined,” she said.

Addressing suggestions from her opponents that she and Warner are a team, she said, “The man was encouraging me in my fight to defeat Manning. What is wrong with that?”

She also made it clear that while she welcomes the support women she is not running a partisan campaign.

“Let me assure all citizens, men and women young and old that I am not an affirmative action candidate…I am a candidate for everyone,” she declared.

The former education minister outlined the ills facing Trinidad and Tobago and urged her supporters to make sure they make the right choice if they don’t want to remain in opposition.

“You must believe that you have the power to transform our party… Exercise that power on January 24 and make me your leader. And then together we will deliver this nation from the grasp of Manning and restore peace, decency and equality to our land,” she said.

She urged everyone not to be fooled by the atmosphere of a national campaign because this is an internal event. However she said it is the first critical step that would lead there and to the end of the Manning administration.

She noted that the election is not merely a changing of the guard, calling the election “a defining moment in our history as a nation.”

She added, “This is not just about where we go as a Party but where we go as nation and a country.”

She compared herself with her opponents but did not get into mudslinging except to say that they are part of the problem and cannot be a part of the solution. She said many of the people who drifted away from the UNC objected to the style of leadership of both Ramesh L. Maharaj and Basdeo Panday.

The Siparia MP acknowledged that both of them are fighters but noted that sometimes that is not the quality that the UNC needs today.

“Sometimes the generals have to put down the arms and call in the peacemaker. They say sometimes you have to fight to be a man. Well I say sometimes you have to TALK to be a leader,” she said.

“They say I am not aggressive enough to take on Mr. Manning…I may not be a Pit Bull but I can keep the Burglars away,” she said.

She described herself as the only candidate who can bring peace and reconciliation to the fractured UNC . “What is critical at this point, the ability to FIGHT or the ability to UNITE? I can do both,” she declared. “I know when it is time to FIGHT and I know when it is time to UNITE.”

She promised that immediately after the internal elections she will meet with all the candidates to begin the process of healing and the ending of divisions. "We will honestly discuss issues and move on to maintain solidarity in our ranks and building party strength," she said.

Persad-Bissessar concluded that there is enormous strength within the UNC and she will work to harness that to deal with the nation’s problems.

“My brothers and sisters, I sincerely believe that none of is as wise as any all of us; none of us is as strong as all of us,” she said.