By Sue-Ann Wayow

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and political leader of the United National Congress (UNC) remains at the helm of the party.

Persad-Bissessar on Sunday was the sole nominee for the post of political leader.

Sunday was the nomination day for interested persons to file their nominations for the post of political leader, for which the internal election was initially scheduled for August 17.

Speaking at the UNC headquarters in Chaguanas, Persad-Bissessar pledged to continue to work for the advancement of party and country.

Chairman of the UNC elections management committee Ramesh Persad Maharaj issued a statement confirming there was no other nominee.

The manual and rules for the election states, “In the event that only one candidate is validly nominated, the committee shall announce that candidate as duly elected unopposed to the office of political leader and formally end the election process.”

Persad Maharaj stated the election management committee acted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the party and declared that Persad-Bissessar is the duly elected political leader of the UNC and the election process for the post of political leader has ended.

Surrounded by supporters, Persad-Bissessar said her decision to initially contest the election 15 years ago was a revolutionary act admitting the road was long and rough.

With the April 28 general election resounding victory, she said that victory made the internal election a solemn test of strength, clarity, and resolve.

With the UNC in government, Persad-Bissessar said the party should now attempt to fix the nation’s problems.

“Our UNC, now governing with a special majority, must display disciplined leadership, principled policy, and a credible plan to rescue and rebuild. I pledge to keep serving this party first, so that together we can serve the nation best,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar said strong institutions was needed as well as experience, courage, and competence adding she was proud of her track record.

She also defended her decision to contest the post.

Persad-Bissessar said, “To those who ask: “After 15 years, isn’t it time to move on?” the electorate answered three months ago: it is time to move forward—together.

 

She also said, “Continuity without renewal is stagnation, change without experience is chaos. I offer continuity of purpose with renewal of method new faces elevated, new structures empowered, new ideas incubated under leadership tested, tempered, and totally committed to victory.”

Persad-Bissessar also pledged deeper internal democracy, wider candidacies, and deliberate mentorship “so the baton is placed, not dropped.”

She ended her victory speech with her famous line, “You had leaders before me and you will have leaders after me, but you will never have a leader who loves you more than I do.”

Since winning the UNC internal election over founder Basdeo Panday in January 2010, Persad-Bissessar has been undefeated in a UNC internal election although there were several competitors for the position since.

Contenders included current Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, former government ministers Vasant Bharath and Fuad Khan.

However, political analysts had deciphered that this time, given the UNC’s general election victory, it would have been difficult for anyone to contest the post and win.