OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar
says no challenge would be too big for her to overcome.
Persad-Bissessar, a former Attorney General under the United National
Congress (UNC) Administration, says she looks forward to the challenges
that come with the office of Opposition Leader.
“These challenges would be overcome with prayer and support
from my colleagues, the executive and the rank and file of the
party,” the Siparia MP told TnT Mirror.
President Maxwell Richards declared the office of Opposition Leader
Basdeo Panday vacant last Tuesday, one day after Panday was jailed
for failing to declare a London bank account.
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New
Opposition Leader
KAMLA PERSAD-
BISSESSAR
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Persad-Bissessar received support from eight MPs to succeed Panday.
The MPs are Persad-Bissessar, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, Subhas Panday,
Nizam Baksh, Chandresh Sharma, Harry Partap, Dr. Hamza Rafeeq,
Dr. Adesh Nanan and Kelvin Ramnath.
Persad-Bissessar said she felt humbled by the support she received
from her colleagues.
The lady MP also served as Minister of Legal Affairs in 1996-1999
and Education Minister from 1999-2001.
She won the position of Deputy Political Leader of the UNC in
the party’s executive election last year.
She said: “I thank my colleagues for giving me the support
to take up the mantle at this crisis period.
“I know there will be many challenges but I look forward
to support from my colleagues to take the country forward.”
The Siparia MP said her priority would be to ensure that everything
is done for Panday to get justice.
“Panday is still my leader.
“My colleagues and I would see that Panday gets justice,”
she said.
Persad-Bissessar also plans to mobilise and strengthen the party
in preparation for removing the People National Movement (PNM)
Government from office in the next general election.
She intends to have dialogue with all her colleagues.
Already, Persad-Bissessar has requested a meeting with UNC Political
Leader, Winston Dookeran, who she said has agreed to meet with
her.
Several female-based Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) have
since congratulated Persad-Bissessar and are calling for a meeting
with her. - (A.P.)
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