Many allies, but no formal Kamla team

Kamla Persad-Bissessar is getting support from key allies in the campaign for the leadership of the United National Congress (UNC) in the January 24 internal election.

She does not have a formal slate, but many of the people nominated for various posts are strong supporters, including former Chaguanas mayor Dr Suruj Rambachan and Senator Lyndira Oudit, who shot to national prominent late last year when she refused to join the group of UNC legislators supporting UNC political leader Basdeo Panday.

Another prominent candidate is Dr Fuad Khan. He spoke on Persad-Bissessar's campaign platform Monday night in Aranguez.

Khan used to be the UNC MP for the area and a former junior health minister in the Panday administration. He did not run for the seat in 2007 after walking out on UNC leader Basdeo Panday together with then Pointe-a-Pierre MP Gillian Lucky.

The fallout was over the issue of the infamous teacup incident in the Parliamentary tea room involving MPs Chandresh Sharma and Dr Keith Rowley.

A young man with strong political connections to the UNC is also supporting the Siparia MP. Colin Partap in running for the post of Policy and Strategy officer against Dr Hamza Rafeeq. Partap's father, Cumoto/Manzanilla MP Harry Partap, is a close ally of Panday.

The elder Partap is not running for any post and he is not saying who is his choice for leader. Colin Partap is an experienced hand at the business of political strategy having worked at the constitutency level and also with the governing Labour Party in the United Kingdom.

Candidates who are supporting Persad-Bissessar for Political Leader:

1. Suruj Rambachan - Deputy Political Leader
2. Sen. Lyndira Oudit - Deputy Political Leader
3. Gail Susan Roopnarine - Deputy Political Leader
4. Khadijah Ameen - Chairman
5. Dr Fuad Khan - Vice Chairman
6. Dr Daphne Phillips - Education Officer
7. Ramona Ramdial - Elections Officer
8. Colin Partap - Policy and Strategy
9. Yvette Richards - Regional Representative East
10. Maryln Plentiee - Regional Representative North
11. Shanti Boodram - Regional Representative South