Unsigned statement says UNC women support Panday for UNC leader

A news report on national television in Trinidad and Tobago Tuesday night said the Women's Arm of the United National Congress (UNC) has issued a statement in support of party leader Basdeo Panday in his bid to win re-election in the January 24, internal election.

The report quoted a document that said the women are supporting Panday because he "has been singular in his continuous attempts to uplift women in a gender imbalanced society."

The statement added, "Mr. Panday has made history when he appointed two women to act as Prime Minister, one of Afro-Trinidadian descent and the other of Indo-Trinidadian descent. He also appointed the first female Attorney General, the first female Minister of Works and the first female Chairman and CEO of NP."

But a source in Trinidad told JYOTI the statement from the women's arm was unsigned and was faxed to the television network. The source said it is unclear if it is a genuine statement fully supported by the women's arm.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is one of three candidates contesting the post of leader of the UNC, was quoted in the TV report as saying the election "is a democratic process and the women are entitled to support the candidate of their choice."

She added that she remains committed to continuing her campaign saying the decision about who will eventually lead the party will be made by the individual members of the party.

On Sunday 10 MPs and four opposition Senators signed a document pledging unconditional support for Panday. Sen. Lyndira Oudit refused to sign that letter and said in a media statement Monday that she fully supports Persad-Bissessar.

She was not at Tuesday's Senate sitting. A temporary Senator was sworn-in to replace her on the opposition bench.