But she was not. The Siparia MP appeared on stage with the confidence and energy of a winner.
(Panday had been expelled from Parliament and Persad-Bissessar was the leader of the opposition at the time).
The story from October 7, 2007, is reproduced below:
Suruj Ramabachan introduced Kamla Persad Bissessar as the woman who brought Patrick Manning to his knees in the Parliament and declared she's UNC to the bone, that's why "COP can't arrest her."And in an emotional speech the Opposition Leader called for an accomodation with all parties to defeat the PNM. Bissessar paraded the stage and waved her flag before jumping right into the fray with the energy of a winner.
She told supporters "I am nearly moved to tears," adding that she was humbled by the "love and the confidence that you have given me".
She said she cannot pretend that all is well, but said she stands "unashamed" although she is bandaged. And she vowed that she would never crawl on her belly "before you."
The opposition leader traced her political career and said many times she felt that she should give up but she didn't give up, instead choosing to fight "in a sea of men" to stand up and show caring and loving because of her maternal instincts.
She said she was the one woman who stood on Penal Junction and confronted Manning. And when Winston Dookeran revolted, she said she stood for the party. And as Opposition Leader in Parliament she took on the job of defending democracy.
She said her record of performance, service and dedication is clear, adding that she did it for the love of her party and her country. She did it, she said, because of the people who stood up for what is right and just, and what is true.
"And when you cry you cry for freedom and justice," she said.
Bissessar pledged to stand with her partry - the UNC Alliance. "That is my party and that is my country...I am not giving up."
"You are not dealing with a woman scorned; you are dealing with a woman loved...I will not leave at the darkest moment in our country's history," she said.
Bissessar quoted from Hindu, Christian and Muslim scriptures, which she said gives her the inspiration to fight. She remembered the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said in the end all tyrants fall. Bissessar called Patrick Manning a tyrant and predicted that on Nov. 5 he will fall.
She said the PNM and COP invited her to join them but said she remembered the temptation of the Christ and said she is never going to be tempted. She said she wants no favours other than that which the people have given her.
"Kamla is a servant of the people. She will do your bidding...the voice of the people is the voice of God," she said.
She pledged to work for the people and not betray them. She warned that Patrick Manning is ready to bring in a monster constitution. And she called on the COP and others to agree on a political accomodation to liberate Trinidad and Tobago.
She concluded with the words of Bob Marley, "Everything is going to be alright."
(Jai Parasram)
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