The recent public scolding of Gary Griffith’s National Transformation Alliance (NTA) by the United National Congress and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is consistent with the failure and hubris of leadership by Kamla’s UNC.
Ever since the UNC’s bruising defeat in the 2015 elections, there have been desperate attempts within its ranks to salvage relevance. The concept of political unity or alliances emerged as a lifeline. In 2018, luminaries such as Ganga Singh, Fuad Khan, Vasant Bharath, Ramona Ramdial, and I championed this cause. We fervently lobbied for cross-party collaborations, hoping to forge a formidable front before the 2020 General Election. But alas, our pleas fell on deaf ears. The proposal to engage in meaningful discussions with other political entities was summarily dismissed by the UNC’s Assembly, stifling any chance of progress. The proposal before the UNC’s Assembly to have discussions with other political parties and entities by Ganga Singh was shut down even before it had an opportunity to be properly ventilated before the Assembly.
The Kamla UNC’s insular mindset stands in stark contrast to the UNC’s legacy of coalition politics. Gone are the days when the party proudly boasted of its ability to build bridges across ideological divides. Now, under Kamla’s leadership, it clings to a fortress mentality, barricading itself against the winds of change. Gary Griffith, no stranger to the party’s fickleness, faced rejection when seeking support in Parliament for the Commissioner of Police role. And when Kamla unceremoniously stripped him of his position as Minister of National Security, Gary still extended an olive branch, engaging in alliance talks.
Yet, despite this recent history, Gary Griffith dared to dream of a united front. He reached out to the UNC, hoping to forge an alliance before the impending general election. Thanks to Gary’s NTA the UNC’s enjoyed modest success in the Local Government Election unfortunately it fueled the UNC’s delusion that they could triumph alone in the General Election.
Suddenly, the UNC is rudely awakened to the existence of smaller parties—mere blips on social media. These minnows now appoint themselves as political leaders and deputies, challenging the UNC’s monopoly. The Kamla UNC forgets the numerous allegations of the UNC’s internal electoral rigging and trampling of the UNC’s Constitution to gerrymander an internal election to support the incumbent. But then again this was the very same Kamla that destroyed the alliance with the Congress of the People when it was in government.
Unfortunately, Gary wrath on the falling apart of the alliance is misguided by blaming Deputy Political Leader Jearlene John. Gary’s scathing response reverberates with the force of a political earthquake. His words, like thunderclaps, expose the party’s failures and arrogance. Gary, however, should know by now that Kamla is not a child to be easily led and she has an iron fist on the throat of the UNC and nothing is allowed to happen without her approval. It is this medieval approach to party politics by Kamla that has led the UNC in repeated electoral defeats over the years.
The Kamla-led UNC is singularly focused instead on the preservation of political power and office for Kamla and those who blindly support her megalomania.
Under Kamla, the UNC is doomed to be in the political wilderness with incompetent Members of Parliament, Senators, Mayors / Chairman and Councillors. The unified strength of the Peoples National Movement the UNC with this retrograde political philosophy will not be successful electorally beyond its own rigged internal elections. To Kamla the alliance is limited to Ratiram, Ram, Paddarath, Wade Mark, Jearlene, Anil Roberts, David Lee et al and not anyone else who can give the UNC a hope of electoral victory.
Kamla, take heed: the tides of change are relentless. The NTA’s public scolding is a warning shot across your bow.
The UNC’s arrogance and complacency have no place in a dynamic political landscape. Gary had to feel the heat to learn, but will you? The General Election looms, and the people await your response. Will you cling to your ivory tower or embrace the call for unity? The choice is yours, but remember: history judges leaders not by their titles, but by their actions.
Dr. Devant Maharaj