Kamla says colour the nation yellow; Jack says PNM can only win by stealing the election

Kamla Persad-Bissessar made a passionate appeal to Trinidad and Tobago Tuesday night to join her "crusade" of unity and elect a People's Partnership government on May 24.

In a speech in St Joseph following a tiring day of whistlestop tours which began with endorsements of the Pentecostals and Muslims, she accused the governing People's National Movement of a policiy of divide and rule.

The UNC leader said the nation is no longer interested in the politics of race and divisiveness, which allowed the PNM to regain power in 2007, and appealed to all those who are not yet on board to join her.

Persad-Bissessar told her audience that she wants to be Prime Minister because she wants to rebuild the nation, which she said has been severely damaged by an uncaring, corrupt regime that puts itself before the people.

"Let us do it for (our forefathers) and for generations to come so that this nation shall have a rebirth. We pledge to you that our People’s Partnership will give you a government of the people, by the people, for the people," she said.

She called on everyone to wear yellow during the coming days. "Tie a yellow ribbon," she said.

Speaking earlier, UNC chairman Jack Warner accused the Manning regime of trying to frustrate the People's Partnership and of trying to steal the election. He said the only way they can win is "if they thief it."

He again condemned Prime Minister Patrick Manning for demanding prime time air time to block the opposition from broadcasting their meeting. He commended the broadcasters who refused to carry Manning's live broadcast Monday for showing their independence.

Warner also complained about the attempt by the PNM to block the meeting. The gates of the park were locked and Warner instructed organisers to hold, the meeting on "the blasted road."

The regional authority with jurisdiction for the park said it was trying to protect the property.

He also accused the PNM St Joseph candidate, Kennedy Swaratsingh, for the protest against UNC candidate Herbert Volney when Volney made his first public political speech. Kennedy had previously denied it.

And Warner also raised some serious questions about Swaratsingh, saying he would give the cabinet minister 10 days to provide the answers.

He wanted to know why Swaratsingh left the priesthood. He also asked how Swaratsingh can move from $1.5 million home to one valued at $7.5 million on as minister's salary and challenged Swaratsingh to explain what happened to monies from a fund he had created.

Warner also wanted answers about how an MP for just over two years can afford a lifestyle that allows credit card spending of more than $25,000 a month. He said if the minister doesn't provide the answers he will.

When he address the meeting Volney pledged that a People's Partnership government would outlaw gang warfare and enforce the law.

He called Patrick Manning a tyrant who must be removed. He said the bolting of the gates of the park where the meeting was to be held is a clear demonstration of the threat that Manning poses to freedom in Trinidad and Tobago.

He said, "Our park has been bolted from our people...This is dictatorship at its highest level. Never again must the citizens of St Joseph endure this humiliation again...Shame on them!"