In whom to place the responsibility of leadership

Before Kamla's decision to run for the leadership post, I had much hope that she would be the one to unite those oppose to the corruption, neglect and mismanagement of our country, I was hoping that she would in fact contest the position. However, after her campaign launch, I had to reconsider my support somewhat. Mind you I am convinced that, if she is elected and once she remains independent of Panday, the UNC in whatever new form, would have a better chance at opposition unity, of getting into government or providing a credible opposition in the house in terms of seats (22 / 19 is possible).
Since 2000, the UNC under Panday’s leadership has been tainted by corruption and has lost support. Ramesh would have stood up against the “parasitic oligarchy”, or so we have been told, I can’t tell you what’s in the mind of men. Panday would have seemingly ignored calls for allegations of corruption to be investigated. The UNC’s term in Government was cut short after Panday’s fall out with Ramesh Maharaj who was joined by Ralph Maraj and Trevor Sudama. The UNC was so tainted that people were actually saying “all dem Indians is thief”.


On getting into office, the PNM launched investigations into the Airport Project and was able to return millions that were corruptly expended. Men have been tried in US courts for their involvement in defrauding the Govnt of T&T. Panday was sentenced to jail for his failure to declare the contents of his London Bank account.


Panday has said on several occasions that he is willing to step down once the people no longer wish him to be leader. But he is very cleaver in this regard, he plays on the emotions of the blind loyalists, in true Panday style he reminds them about their “blood, sweat and tears” about their long “struggle” .
In 2007, Kamla has been sidelined by Panday in favour of Jack Waner and Ramesh Maharaj in the leadership of the newly formed UNC-A, which was a coalition of opposing forces. At the UNC’s unity Raleigh at Mid Centre Mall on 7th October 2001 Kamla said “I stand before you today unashamed that I am bandaged, but I want to tell you that from this moment on, I will never crawl on my belly before you or anyone else”.


After the hurt for this sidelining was over, Kamla has been a very staunch supporter of Basdeo Panday; she defended Panday’s every move whilst the RamJack-G faction was demanding change within the UNC. Was this in fact a strong woman, a woman who would never crawl on her belly for anyone again, was this a woman who can stand her ground and demand the change necessary for a party to move forward in unity and strength.
At her campaign launch Kamla went on about not selling out the UNC base and that she is not for sale (who the hell care about a UNC base). Kamla went on to espouse the many things that Panday has done during his stint in politics, as Prime Minister and Member of Parliament. Recently however she has questioned what has he really done for the party after all his “struggle”. She indicated that for all his struggle he has been able to win but one election, as far as I am aware, this is well known to all, has Kamla now found out this.


The overwhelming support that Kamla has been able to gather from so many, within and outside of the UNC, is based on the premise that she may be the one who can unite the opposition. She is seen as one who can re-unite those several UNC factions, who have left because of the leadership style of Panday. I am one of those who see her in this light, however, as indicated before, I am not too sure if this support should be blindly placed.