Kamla: I have no fear … Unfazed by criticisms, emerging party or Griffith

Senior Reporter

akash.samaroo@cnc3.co.tt

Facing mounting criticism internally and externally for her handling of potential political allies and her approach to unity, United National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar remains unafraid and unapologetic.

Earlier this week, a breakaway faction of dissatisfied UNC members announced the formation of a new party called Unity is Power. While the faces of this new proposed party are yet to be revealed, the group said in a statement that Persad-Bissessar has a “petty approach to unity.”

That sentiment was echoed by National Transformation Alliance (NTA) leader Gary Griffith yesterday, after the cracks in their relationship developed into a chasm. But this was in reply to what Griffith perceived as an attack on his character by Persad-Bissessar.

At the UNC headquarters in Chaguanas on Monday night, Persad-Bissessar questioned Griffith’s effectiveness as police commissioner between 2018 and 2021, saying 1,906 people were murdered while he was the head of the Tr&T Police Service (TTPS).

Persad-Bissessar even described Griffith as a political appointee who failed in his duty. She said Griffith only got the job because the Government stepped in.

“They bypassed the top three selections—one, Dulalchan, two, Phillip and three, Williams—to handpick the fourth-ranked person, Gary Griffith,” she told her supporters while showing a graphic of Griffith alongside McDonald Jacob and Erla Harewood-Christopher on their broadcast feed.

Griffith was quick to respond, questioning her political sanity after providing video evidence showing Persad-Bissessar endorsing him as the best police commissioner in T&T’s history. Those remarks were made when the UNC and NTA joined hands in a “political arrangement” to take on the PNM in the Local Government Elections of 2023.

Like the Unity is Power faction, Griffith too said, “It is unfortunate that party has reached a point where its leader seems more focused on attacking and discrediting those she perceives as threats to her rather than uniting and leading with strength and humility.”

Griffith then brought up an idea that has in the past infuriated those in the party who are loyal to the UNC leader. He asked who in the party had the audacity to advise her it was time to step down, and if it was time for her to follow in the footsteps of US President Joe Biden.

Griffith yesterday said, “It’s unfortunate the UNC has reached a point where its leader seems more focused on attacking and discrediting those she perceives as threats to her rather than uniting and leading with strength and humility.

This behaviour has driven away countless supporters who are tired of the arrogance and intimidation tactics that have become the hallmark of her leadership.

“Her approach is to surround herself with ‘yes people’ and undermine anyone who might challenge her authority. This has led to the exodus of dedicated members and has severely weakened UNC’s ability to attract new supporters.

Her recent public tirades, where she spends more time attacking individuals like myself than addressing the real issues facing T&T, are a testament to her insecurity and inability to lead effectively.”

With a general election looming, Guardian Media sent questions to Persad-Bissessar asking if a re-alliance between her party and the Griffith-led NTA was still possible.

Responding via WhatsApp, Persad-Bissessar simply said, “Nothing is cast in stone.”

Asked if she felt her leadership style was chasing away potential political allies, she curtly responded, “No.”

In fact, she seemed unperturbed by the proposed emergence of the Unity is Power party, which may split support from within the UNC.

“I have no fear; I believe in the voice of the people, which is the voice of God in a democracy. The people will decide on their leaders,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar added, “Last time I checked, our country is a democratic one, and all and any are entitled to put their hat in the ring. At the end of the day, it will be the people who will decide.”

Guardian Media checked with the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to ascertain if the Unity is Power party has asked for a symbol to be assigned to it. The EBC said so far, no such request has been made.

However, political analyst Dr Shane Mohammed yesterday said the fallout with Griffith and the threat of a new party emerging from within the UNC pose no threat to Persad-Bissessar.

But Mohammed advised, “KPB should focus on ‘bringing in the sheaves,’ as the song says. There is talent on the UNC periphery; if they are brought into the party, put on platforms, and considered for seats, it will start to shake up and strengthen the UNC.”

Concerning Griffith, Mohammed said, “GG cannot just talk about the 15,000 votes his party got at LGE as helping the UNC win in places like San Fernando and Grande.

There were other reasons why those seats were won, one being a vex vote against them, especially in Grande. What should have been his strength is if he had won seats in Diego Martin; He only got one alderman. If that’s something to beat one’s chest about, well then, we really celebrate mediocrity.”

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