(Trinidad Express) Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Saturday declared she has secured the support of the majority of the 15 Opposition MPs she requires to replace Couva North MP Basdeo Panday as opposition leader.

Persad-Bissessar, who was elected as the United National Congress’ (UNC) political leader in the party’s January 24 internal elections, made her declaration shortly after Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh announced his support for her as opposition leader on Saturday morning.

Gopeesingh said he was supporting Persad-Bissessar for the position at a news conference at the offices of his Woodbrook medical practice, three weeks after he unsuccessfully contested the post of deputy political leader on a Panday slate, and just one day after his own constituency executive called on him to endorse Persad-Bissessar.

’Now that I have the support of the members of Parliament for the office of the official opposition leader, I can ensure that the decisions of the party and the people are empowered by our activities in Parliament.
And I will, also, ensure that the voice of every citizen who is frustrated and angry, hurt or hungry, fearful or feeble, is heard in the hallowed halls of the    parliamentary chambers,’ Persad-Bissessar said in a statement issued on Saturday.