UNC celebrates Kamla's 2nd anniversary as leader with big rally at Rienzi

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Thousands of supporters and members of the United National Congress (UNC) will converge on the party's headquarters at Rienzi Complex Tuesday evening to celebrate the second anniversary of the election of Kamla Persad Bissessar as the party's Political Leader.

It was exactly two years ago that the Siparia MP made history by defeating Basdeo Panday 10 to 1 to take over the leadership of the UNC. It was historic also because no one had ever challenged and Panday and won and also because she became the first woman to head a major national political party.

Four months later Persad-Bissessar led a united opposition - the five-member People's Partnership - in a stunning election victory over the Manning People's National Movement.

Manning had called an election more than two years ahead of schedule hoping to win a fresh mandate. However the electorate rallied to the new partnership led by Persad-Bissessar, giving the partnership 29 of the 41 seats in the House of Representatives, with the UNC getting a clear majority of 21.

Communications Minister Suruj Rambachan has issued a statement noting that one year ago more than 30,000 gathered to celebrate the election of Persad-Bissessar as leader, making a clear statement that the party membership endorsed the leader.

Rambachan reiterated that the membership of the party "strongly supports the leadership of Persad Bissessar, as she seeks to correct the ills of the past, to bring stability to the financial system, and to create the conditions for a sustainable future, one that will be marked by prosperity for all".

He stated that the Prime Minister's bold initiatives, whether in terms of the management of crime, or in the aggressive marketing of Trinidad and Tobago internationally, has defined her leadership style.

In spite of all of this, he said, she has maintained a common touch, and has been directing resources towards the alleviation of poverty, and the satisfaction of the basic needs of people.

"This has been marked within the last few days with the distribution of certificates of comfort, houses, farmlands and the opening of new water projects.

"For the Government, quality of life issues remain a primary concern," Rambachan said.

He noted that the UNC Leader has also demonstrated tremendous political acumen in maintaining the partnership by consensus building, sharing the leadership role, and adherence to the collectively agreed Fyzabad declaration.

"In this regard, she has stunned the critics who thought that the coalition would not have held as firmly as it has currently holds. This has occurred because she has been able to get the leaders to coalesce around a shared vision for the nation - which is, prosperity, social equity, justice for all, and equality of opportunity," Rambachan said.

He declared that Tuesday promises to be "a most exciting evening, as it would be a reaffirmation of the party, that the United National Congress is not only stronger than ever, but together, with its coalition partners will remain intent on fulfilling the mandate given to them on May 24th.

At a personal level, Rambachan stated that he is strong in his admiration for the Political Leader's ability to take tough decisions where the National Interest is concerned and to do so with a level of courage and determination to succeed which overrides partisan political interest.