Kamla’s UNC on the warpath

Last Monday night, from 7- 9.15, competing with the regular 7 pm television news broadcasts and Synergy’s Saieed Ali, were Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and a rather aggressive battery of frontline speakers on Radio Jaagriti.

With press conferences last Thursday and Sunday, and the party’s national executive elections next Sunday, all this gave the impression that she and her loyal top-liners are on the political warpath targeting corruption, “runaway crime,” education and economic failures and AG Reginald Armour, SC.

It was also blows for those who said she should step down or who she felt were quietly crafting a third force within the UNC. Candidates Dr Fuad Khan, Ramona Ramdial and Glen Ramadharsingh, displaying independence, did not receive the platform’s welcome (loyalists Taharqa Obika and Neil Gosine made brief appearances. Dr Moonilal was absent).

Activating the “government must account to the taxpayers" principle, the Opposition laid heavier blows upon Dr Keith Rowley-led PNM government. Responses are expected from that side soon – with similar courtesies.

While we are witnessing American politics about the January 6, 2021 insurrection, the UNC charges and the expected rebuttals by the PNM’s Dr Rowley, Camille Robinson-Regis, Fitzgerald Hinds, Foster Cummings, etc, will say a lot about Trinidad politics.

The opening bowler last Monday was senator David Nakhid, angrily accusing the government again of failing children in the “forsaken” children's homes. Hearing him in the Senate too, this former footballer doesn’t mince words.

Well, if anybody thought things would have cooled after Nakhid’s speech, senator and attorney Jayanti Lutchmedial entered. Dressed in UNC yellow, with quickened sentences and hair-raising allegations, she fired several shots at besieged AG Armour. She alleged that Armour swore to an affidavit in court that he was only a ”junior counsel” while in fact he was a “senior counsel.”

And to relieve the tension, Lutchmedial, with flushed cheeks, declared: “Well, this is the first time I am hearing a senior counsel saying he is a junior counsel.” (Loud applause). She seems to enjoy the cut and thrust of law, obviously gleeful this time with her victory over minister Cummings’ injunction. Not over yet, warned Cummings.

Like a legal technician, youthful senator Saddam Hosein’s threat was his no-confidence motion filed against Armour, claiming “perjury, loss of confidence and trust in the attorney general.” His research preparation and presentations have made him a worthy opponent, notwithstanding Armour’s appeal.

That motion and the PNM’s replies should again reveal what Trinidad politics is really like. A motion for censure, signed by some 40 lawyers, is also before the Law Association. The published names suggest how this will end.

Senator Anil Roberts raised the decibel level with his “47 breaches by the PNM.” His firecracker allegations were designed to make the PNM look “corrupt and unfit for office” – charges awaiting the PNM’s reply.

The court of public opinion will decide. Extending Kamla’s aversion to outside threats, Anil gave some subdued blows to Vasant Bharath, Bhoe Tewarie and few outsiders.

The blows were not over yet. The indomitable, thick-skinned senator Wade Mark, skilfully sensing the labour unrest around, called for a “national income policy” to include prices, profit, rent and bank interests to achieve economic sustainability and equity. A UNC proposal worthy of government’s response. Usually well-prepared and sometimes unsettling the PNM bench, the always-ready Mark just does not let up.

Celebrated with constant whistle-blowing, in stepped the fit and ready-for-action-looking UNC leader to speak on next week’s national executive elections and the Armour matter. Dressed not in yellow but in a pale blue dress with blue lapels, Persad-Bissessar emphasised the allegations against Armour and announced the UNC intention to complain to the Miami court, the Privy Council, etc.

With a shift from political belligerence, Persad-Bissessar first delivered a brief sermon on the right to be heard and standing for rights. Then she attacked those who sought to “kidnap” the UNC and the “shame, bullying and selected fake outrage upon the population,” not forgetting the “media and some columnists” too. UNC MPs, she said, will walk out every time Armour speaks. They already did.

The UNC charges and the PNM replies are really for the electorate, where facts often get twisted by prejudicial perceptions. Sunday’s elections are safe for Persad-Bissessar. How about 2025?