Some sectors of the citizenry were taken aback at the disturbing scenes during the United National Congress’ convention on Sunday, where members engaged in heated verbal and physical clashes over Political Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s suitability to lead the party further.
From all that played out at the party’s headquarters, there is clearly a deep rift in the party. One faction still believes Mrs Persad-Bissessar can guide the party back into government. To do so, however, they feel the Opposition Leader must welcome back all former members and allies she may have alienated during her current reign.
Another group, however, tired of the series of defeats the party has undergone in national elections and the most recent embarrassment of three MPs not supporting the party’s choice of Israel Khan SC for the Office of the President, is seeking a new dispensation.
For last weekend’s convention, though, both groups seeking change were rejected. Former MPs Dr Fuad Khan and Ramona Ramdial had their motion, which sought a return of the old guard to shore up the party’s future drive, rejected by the National Executive during the week.
The other faction, apparently led by Pundit Donny Samlal, was more direct. They sought to file a motion for a vote of no-confidence in Mrs Persad-Bissessar during the convention, a move that was soundly rejected by members loyal to the incumbent, resulting in heated exchanges and forcing those with calmer heads to intervene.
The fact that members of a party holding itself up as the alternative to the ruling People’s National Movement should engage in such an open display of misbehaviour is in itself a statement of the party’s degeneration.
This, of course, is not the first time the UNC is facing such a predicament.
Mrs Persad-Bissessar was in this very same situation in 2010 when she challenged former UNC leader Basdeo Panday, as his political stock waned.
Understandably, Mr Panday and his loyalists made life difficult for Mrs Persad-Bissessar in a bitter campaign that also created deep rifts within the party. In the face of this, Mrs Persad-Bissessar famously said, “Transformation is coming as surely as the rising sun heralds the dawn of a new day.”
With then-MPs Jack Warner and Winston “Gypsy” Peters lobbying for her, Mrs Persad-Bissessar overcame allegations of a rigged registration and ballot process to sweep Mr Panday out of office thanks to the one-man-one-vote process—with an overwhelming 13,000 votes to 1,300—to become the first female leader of the party.
Returning to today’s situation, Mrs Persad-Bissessar finds herself facing similar questions as political leader, and her power appears to give her an edge in preventing any “dissidents” from having their say at the level of the congress.
So even while having seemingly extended an olive branch to all party faithful on Sunday, Mrs Persad-Bissessar’s words rang hollow based on the scenarios that played out amongst the membership.
Mrs Persad-Bissessar should therefore take heed of her own words in 2010 and be wary that the winds of change can only be prevented for so long.