?Newly-elected political leader of the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) is under no illusion that the road to the Prime Minister's official residence is an easy one. As such, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Siparia MP, remains focused on taking her UNC to power in the next general election, whenever it is called.
Q: Mrs Persad-Bissessar, how are you coping with "Kamlamania"?
A: (Smiling) People are saying that, but I don't feel any "Kamlamania." Quite frankly, I continue to work, and I am really enjoying what I am doing...the purpose, the mission is there.
Your candidacy came as a bit of a surprise, where, after your passionate speech at Mid-Centre Mall in 2007, people thought you had given up the fight, even though you cautioned; "No woman no Cry."
(In a committee room of the Parliament last Friday): I did say I wasn't going to crawl on my belly...I am a human being, and I must have felt some emotion...But when you get knocked down, you get up and go again. Which is what I have been doing. And, Clevon, there was no opportunity before to democratically challenge the leadership of the party.
Oh! So you took your licks and just waited on your time to strike back?
(A mischievous grin): Your words, Clevon, but the people were telling me to 'leave the party and go join the COP,' which I was not prepared to do, but this was the first time I got the opportunity to democratically challenge for the leadership of the UNC.
Did you, in your wildest dreams, ever thought you would have won, and by such a wide margin?
I knew we would have won. It wasn't just rhetoric...And no, I did not envisage the margin would have been so wide.
Your victory has national appeal and significance. Has that imposed any mental burden on you, so far; in the context of people's expectations?
Physically, no, but mentally it has been challenging. It is a tremendous responsibility that it places on you, and I made it very clear I was not in the business of staying in opposition. It is not my focus to become Leader of the Opposition. If it happens, so be it, but my focus is the bigger picture...the Prime Minister.
Isn't this being made a bit harder without the full support of your MPs in the Lower House?
There are different views out there on that, but the jury is still out on that one.
Are you concerned about the Ramesh factor?
(Pushing away her hair partially blocking her right eye). And what is the Ramesh factor?
Surely, you are aware of the question of trust, following his alliance with then Leader of the Opposition, Patrick Manning, which brought down the first UNC administration?
The membership gave him some 700-plus votes out of 15, or 16,000 who voted, and he was not elected to the executive, but he is a member of Parliament and has a role to play in that context. The man is a bright lawyer and....
So the question of trust does not arise with you?
I am prepared to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, until otherwise proven.
Mrs Persad-Bissessar, on this gender issue, culturally, women have always held to a higher standard than men. Are you under any undue pressure to conform to that rather outdated concept?
People call that double standards, but once you are in public life you are subject to intense scrutiny, and as you progress, that scrutiny is also going to progress. (Chuckling) I keep saying my hands are clean (palms outstretched and raised), my heart is (right hand on left chest), and I am focused.
This question of a woman having to behave like a man to get on top of her field and stay there. Does that bother you?
That is what some people are saying, but I don't believe that. Look at a woman like Diana Mahabir-Wyatt; she has reached very far, and I have never seen her acting like a man. Hazel Browne, another strong woman. I don't think I have done it either, but as a woman, I think you bring additional skills into ?the leadership mix...the maternal instincts. We are more forgiving, more tolerant, and we always strive for harmony rather than disharmony.
Is that the reason why you are not pushing harder, or at all, for all the UNC MPs to support your leadership?
(Philosophically and with a deep breath): Everything in the fullness of time; it will happen. What is the hurry?...What difference does it make if it is today or tomorrow?
In spite of your bravado and upbeat talk, do you really think the road to the PM's official residence is an easy one?
No. It will be very challenging, but it's not an impossible journey. It can happen, but we have to work hard. And why should the PNM be a walkover? Why should they be? It's about power; election is about governance issues, and I don't expect them to be soft, neither should they expect me to be soft on them. We will be in a campaign, and it would be about bringing back good governance to this country which cannot be found in this current PNM regime.
The UNC cannot win a general election on its own; what is the position with respect to Congress of the People?
I am of the firm view that the UNC, as it was configured prior to Sunday, could not win an election on its own, and I am still of the view that we have a lot of work to do, reaching out to everyone, all the stake holders in the country to have a voice in bringing back our beloved country to a place of love, peace and harmony.
Do you think that, because of his reluctance to do what is expected of him, Mr Panday is demonstrating his commitment to the principles of democracy?
Really! You would have to ask him that question.
The political pundits are also saying the results showed that supporters of the UNC showed maturity by voting to the executive Afro-Trinis, like Jack Warner and Dr Daphne Phillips?
Yes. Tremendous maturity by selecting people who are capable of doing the job, a very welcome development in the progression on the party. Indeed, it reflects my own view of how we should live in this country; where every creed and race have an equal place, as our national anthem proudly says.
Finally, Mrs Persad-Bissessar, in the event that you take your party into government, what would be your priority?
Crime, Clevon...That is our No 1 concern. We would use talent wherever we can get it, locally and abroad. We have to get the criminals on the run, otherwise we would continue be living in a state of perpetual fear, and as a nation we cannot give them the upper hand on us.