(Trinidad Express) – Meet Kamla Persad-Bissessar: Siparia MP, Political Leader of the United National Congress (UNC) and, according to informed sources, soon to be conferred with the title of Opposition Leader.
Reliable sources told the Express last night that Persad-Bissessar has acquired the requisite number of votes to be named Opposition Leader. She needs the support of at least eight MPs-seven plus herself, to take the position.
Political sources had been predicting that this would be an inevitable development given the magnitude of her victory over the former political leader and incumbent Opposition Leader, Basdeo Panday.
Panday’s position was that the issue of the Opposition Leader was a matter for the MPs. And it appears that he was right. The necessary number of MPs have determined in Persad-Bissessar’s favour, according to unimpeachable sources, who declined to name the individual MPs who have shifted allegiance.
Sources, however, had said that this matter is too serious a step to take in the middle of the Carnival celebrations. Therefore, the change will very likely be effected after the Carnival season has ended, they said.
Sources said the decision to wait has also been influenced by the fact that persons–MPs included–are not desirous of rushing Panday out of office.
Persad-Bissessar herself has made it clear that she would not hound her former leader out of office. She has also made it clear that she is not chasing after the job of Opposition Leader, but is more interested in job of Prime Minister.
However, in response to questions on the issue, she noted on Monday: “I do believe that the MPs will let good sense prevail and that they would listen to the people.”
The shift towards Persad-Bissessar comes after Panday’s storming out of Wednesday’s parliamentary caucus, when he failed to muster support for his demand for an enquiry into the elections which resulted in his ten-to-one defeat at the hands of Persad-Bissessar.
“That (caucus) meeting was a watershed,” one source said.
The fact that his up to that time loyal supporters did not follow in his footsteps must have come as a severe disappointment to Panday. Among those who stayed were Tim Gopeesingh, Roodal Moonilal, Chandresh Sharma, Wade Mark, Jennifer Jones-Kernahan and others.
Panday has held the position of Opposition Leader since losing office in 2002, and before becoming Prime Minister in 1995, he was Opposition Leader for many years.
If Persad-Bissessar becomes Opposition Leader, as sources have assured, it would mean that the Panday magic apparently has finally disappeared.
