OPPOSITION Leader and UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says there is no room for intolerance and extremism in the party.
Persad-Bissessar made this comment on April 12 as she condemned Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally for saying the UNC would not win the next general election while she remains party leader.
Rambally made his statement at a news conference on the same day.
In a subsequent statement issued by the UNC, Persad-Bissessar said, "There is no room for intolerance and extremism of any type in the UNC and our country.
"As leader, I represent all people equally and fairly. I cannot and will not be controlled by any individual or group to promote any singular agenda at the expense of other sections of society."
She added, "These public rants by a few only help this oppressive government."
Persad-Bissessar said she bears no malice to people who oppose her.
"While there will always be differences in any society, I believe we must love and respect all our people equally.
"As leader of the UNC, I will show everyone tolerance, love empathy and compassion without fear or favour. That is my choice. That is how I have lived my life and always will."
Persad-Bissessar said the UNC is poised to defeat the PNM in the next general election and must stay focused, admitting the party has had some internal problems.
"Precautions were taken with the sharing of information internally after three UNC MPs voted against the UNC nominee Israel Khan, SC, in the vote for the election of the president (in January 2023)."
The UNC has 25 parliamentarians (six senators and 19 MPs).
Khan was the UNC's nominee for president at that time. Three of the UNC's parliamentarians did not vote for him. Their identities were never been revealed. The President is elected by secret ballot by members of both Houses of Parliament.
Persad-Bissessar said, "Those precautions were made to protect the party so some members and MPs will not be aware of all the activities occurring within the organisation."
Coming to Persad-Bissessar's defence were Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, Princes Town MP Barry Padarath and Opposition Senator Jearlean John. Moonilal and John are UNC deputy leaders.
Moonilal said the MPs and membership of his constituency support Persad-Bissessar.
He added that Persad-Bissessar "is democratically elected and represents the will of the mass membership."
Moonilal said the UNC is on the cusp of a general election victory in 2025 and nothing must distract it from that objective.
"We will not be distracted by agents of the PNM in our quest to remove the Rowley administration. All I can opine further is the age-old political truism that 'those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make
pagal.”
Pagal is the Hindi word for crazy.
John said, "The UNC was shaped by the blood, sweat and tears of our loyal, dedicated and beloved supporters. For them there is no mountain, the UNC, led by the fearless honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar will not climb.
Padarath said, "The MP (Rambally) l
