By Dr. Devant Maharaj -Adjunct Professor, University of Trinidad and Tobago
Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s recent actions within the United National Congress (UNC) have ignited concerns and warrant a scathing rebuttal, as her statement reveals the continued malevolent pattern of anti-democratic behavior.
Persad-Bissessar’s inclination towards expelling dissenting voices like Rushton Paray indicates a dictatorial stance, stifling internal party democracy and suppressing the diversity of opinion is a hallmark of her leadership style. Kamla’s quelching of democracy within the UNC from the stifling of Ganga Singh in 2017 continues unabated. Disregarding Paray’s call for internal election’s underscores Persad-Bissessar’s authoritarian tendencies, prioritizing her grip on power over the genuine demands of party members, thereby undermining the essence of democratic decision-making.
Persad-Bissessar’s baseless accusations labeling Paray as a puppet of the People’s National Movement (PNM) lack credibility and appear as a desperate effort to delegitimize dissent within the party. Persad-Bissessar conveniently overlooks the UNC’s past transgressions against democratic principles, exposing her leadership’s hypocrisy and inconsistency.
The attempt to tarnish Paray’s reputation by highlighting his past donations to the PNM represents a regrettable descent into personal attacks, diverting attention from substantive issues and reflecting poorly on Persad-Bissessar’s leadership. Persad-Bissessar’s reluctance to embrace internal elections and her aversion to being challenged hint at her well-known insecurity in her leadership and a reluctance to subject herself to democratic scrutiny.
The failure to commit to a timeline for internal elections despite the UNC’s constitutional obligations underscores Persad-Bissessar’s persistent disregard for institutional norms and democratic values. Persad-Bissessar’s divisive rhetoric creates an environment of fear and forces conformity within the party, alienating dissenting voices and eroding the spirit of inclusivity and participatory democracy.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s actions signify a blatant disregard for democratic principles and institutional norms within the UNC, portraying her as an authoritarian leader more concerned with consolidating power than upholding the essence of democracy, transparency, and accountability.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar will no doubt populate the ranks of the UNC for the 2025 General Elections with political sycophants who will genuflect to her political will. It is for the general public to observe and remember that if the UNC’s Constitution is being trampled upon by the current leadership why should they concerned if the UNC will respect the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago.
Dr. Devant Maharaj, PhD, MBA