-Kamla Persad-Bissessar
For Centre
KAMLA Persad-Bissessar is seen by some people as “a magnet for unity,” by others as prasad (blessed offering) to the nation, while many feel she’s mother of a nation-in-waiting.

But in her heart, the Member of Parliament for Siparia, who’s contesting for leadership of the United National Congress (UNC), sees herself as a leader for all peoples of Trinidad and Tobago, including disenchanted PNM supporters and members of the Congress of the People. This time, she says, the nation comes first. “We are one nation, one people, and each of us deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, and our resources are to be shared equally,” she says.

Should she be victorious in the party’s internal elections come January 24, her priority would be to “unite and look forward. The past is gone, but the future is ours to control,” she says. There is a place for everyone in the House of the Rising Sun, she stresses.

From her early days at the Mohess Road Hindu School, Erin Road Presbyterian School, Siparia Union Presbyterian School through college at the Iere High school, Siparia, and tertiary institutions Norwood Technical College, England; The University of the West Indies, Jamaica; The University of the West Indies, Barbados; and The Hugh Wooding Law School, Trinidad, she has shown a hunger for knowledge.

Prompted by a desire and love for academia early in life, she pursued and acquired a Diploma of Education and Master of Education, and became a high school teacher. At age 25, she was one of the youngest university lecturers at UWI’s Mona Campus.

She continued her search for knowledge, and gained a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of the West Indies. In fact, at her graduation, she was the top student, winning prizes for most outstanding student, and best overall performance. Still, her desire for knowledge saw her a few years ago pursuing and completing with distinction all her examinations for an Executive MBA programme at the Institute of Business, UWI.

It’s no wonder that, with such accomplishments, she would be a leader. It started with her entering politics as a National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) alderman at the then St Patrick County Council. In 1994, she was made UNC senator in Parliament. In 1995, she was elected UNC Member of Parliament for Siparia. Her wide range of experience and knowledge in education, law, business and politics are like stepping stones towards the pinnacle of her success.

She had a number of firsts, starting with being the first woman to be appointed Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs in the country. She was also the first female deputy political leader of the UNC; the first female leader of the Opposition; and first woman to act as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. She also served as Education Minister.

With such an extensive background of knowledge and experience, Persad-Bissessar considers herself capable of leading the party and the nation. Thus, with encouragement from supporters, she decided to throw her hat in the ring to combat her political guru and mentor, Basdeo Panday, for the position of political leader in the UNC. Tabaquite Member of Parliament, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj is also contesting the position. This is the first time in his political career that Panday would be challenged for the leadership of the party.

There is no doubt in Persad-Bissessar’s mind, though, that she would be victorious, and would lead her party to government in the next general elections. “The country lacks effective leadership, and that’s why I am taking up the challenge,” she says.

“I will win! I will lead the UNC, and I will lead the nation! I won’t let anybody down!” vows the confident MP.

To achieve these goals, Persad-Bissessar plans to work with everyone, be honest and professional, to operate a meritocracy, to never stop listening to the people, and never neglect the people.

In accomplishing those goals, however, the self-assured parliamentarian vows never to be anybody’s ‘political dulahin’. “The word ‘dulahin (Indian bride)’carries a kind of symbolism of submissiveness. But I am a strong, and an independent leader,” she said.

She believes her support across party lines comes about because of her love for people beyond the race, colour and party lines. “When a child is hungry, we don’t ask her race; when a mother is trying to feed and clothe her family, we do not ask for a party card. I don’t represent a block or class; I represent all our peoples. A mother cannot discriminate against her children.”

Politics, she says, “Is not an easy job. I encourage everyone to get involved, but politics must not be seen as a ticket to a life of privilege. We represent the people; we are the people’s servants, not the other way around. We must work with our people, feel their pain, share their joys and grief, that’s the only way to serve.”

If her supporters believe her campaign would be laced with the normal ‘picong’ of Trinidad and Tobago’s politics, they’d be disappointed. There would be no people bashing and dirt slinging from her platform for transformation, she declares.

“People-bashing and dirt are for those who don’t have anything to offer, so they feel by knocking down the opponent, they win by default. Leaders don’t act that way; I am a leader,” Persad-Bissessar insists.

Never one to cling to race as a prop like other politicians, Persad-Bissessar feels this country has changed dramatically, but many people are still colour-blind. “This is a country built by all the groups that make this one of the most cosmopolitan nations on earth. No one group has a right over another; and that is how it will always be under my leadership.

“People who know me would have heard me say that I do not see race, colour, creed or class in anyone; I see all human beings as God’s children, and when you cut me or my brother or my sister, the same blood flows through our veins,” she says.

Unruffled by pressure of situations or opponents, hardworking, confident, focused and always with a welcome smile for everyone are some of the things people like about her. Even now, as she rushes about to put things in place for one of the biggest battles of her life, she still takes a minute to greet her constituents and to answer her ‘cell-phone’.

She promises to be a “strong, effective and fair” leader, both as political leader and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

As she prepares to take over the controls of the UNC, she faces both encouragement from those who see the need to change for a better tomorrow, and discouragement from those who not only fear change, but who see her challenge for leadership as a direct blow to her leader.

But she swears: “I will never be a ungrateful to Panday.”

She did not say whether she received his blessings or condemnation before announcing her decision to contest the position, but she did say: “I have no quarrel with Mr Panday. I will always consider him my guru and political mentor. And no matter who says what, I will never be a ‘neemakharam’.”

In fact, her decision to contest the position was based on her thoughts: “For the future of our party and the nation.” She places the nation first this time. Besides, Panday has been asking to retire, and some people are refusing to let him retire, she says. “He himself has said he would never be a yoke on people’s necks, and that he would retire with joy in his heart if the people tell him to do so,” according to Persad-Bissessar.

But don’t expect her to go into political oblivion if she loses. “Not at all! This is the beginning of a journey; the work is only now starting. But I am not going to lose,” she swears. (Reprinted from the Trinidad Express)