Kamla asks supporters to forgive Panday for "lies"

Kamla Persad-Bissessar closed her campaign for the leadership of the United National Congress (UNC) Friday night with a mass meeting in Penal at which she asked supporters to forgive Panday for the "lies" that he has been spreading about her.

And in an address that steered clear of anything negative she outlined her resume as a parliamentarian to demonstrate that contrary to what the Panday team has said throughout the campaign she is fit to lead.

She said times have changed and the UNC must change to meet the new foes that face the nation.

"Today’s struggle is against the criminals, murderers, gangsters, thieves, robbers, rapists, kidnappers who hold people to ransom in their own homes. Today’s struggle is against Manning’s property tax which threatens to wipe out our hard earned legacy of homes for our families," the Siparia MP said.

"We have to save our country from tyranny, to protect our children’s birthright and to preserve our democracy, freedom, and way of life as we know it...this is not idle talk – this is reality and you all know it," she said.

Persad-Bissessar pledge to serve fearlessly and selflesslessly.

"I will remain faithful and never betray you...Because I know that leadership...is about tending to the will of the people, and true leaders do not force people to follow, they invite them on a journey," she said.

"What people truly need in these tough trying times is a leader who is willing to give her heart and love to them for it is only in giving your heart and genuine love to people that you can truly fight and win the war on their behalf," she said.

She said that is lacking in the Panday team, which can only guarantee that the UNC remains in opposition in perpetuity. That she said is not here vision for the party and the country.

She outline her vision. "It is a vision about a beautiful country in which all of us can live in harmony. It is a vision rooted in our belief that all of us are equal. It is a vision of freedom, justice and love.

"It is a vision that embraces everyone so that each of us could blossom and grow and realize our full potential. That is our vision and we don’t have to wait until 2020. We will do it now," she said.

But she said none of it can come without the support of UNC members who can vote in Sunday's election.

"When you go to that voting booth on Sunday keep your focus on the most important issue in this campaign. Don’t think of the past, think of the future.

"Think of who is going to unite the opposition and rebuild our great party so that we can win an election.

"Be guided by who can win an election. The first step is to elect a leader, but your leader must be able to beat Manning. And I am that leader," she said.

Persad-Bissessar asked UNC members not to give up hope and to believe "because we cannot solve our party’s problems and hope to attract support if we continue on a divisive and destructive path.

"Let us put aside the emotional attachment to the past and look to the future. The times are too serious for us to engage in that kind of politics," she said.

Persad-Bissessar closed her speech with the lyrics of the legendary Bob Marley: "Everything is gonna be alright," she said.