Opposition Leader's post:

RESPONDING to statements that she was a “caretaker” Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday acknowledged she would “readily and easily” return the position to Basdeo Panday, if future circumstances allowed him to serve, because of the tremendous respect, love and regard she personally has for him.

But Persad-Bissessar, who received her instrument of appointment from House Speaker Barry Sinanan at 5.45 pm yesterday, was equally clear that (outside of Panday and with respect to other aspirants), she was eminently suitable to hold the reins of Opposition Leader.

Asked whether she was aware there was a view in many circles that she was holding the fort for Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, she stated: “I am not aware of any such plan. I will do the best that I can. And at the end of the day, it is who the majority (of Mps) support.”

Asked whether the invitation extended to Maharaj by Panday to join the Senate still stood, Persad-Bissessar, who as Opposition Leader will be responsible for choosing senators, said she would consult with her “parliamentary colleagues” before making any adjustments to the Senate. “But that is not an issue (right now)” she said. Panday’s wife Oma, said yesterday she wanted to congratulate Persad-Bissessar on her elevation. Acknowledging they have been friends for many years, Oma said, “I am happy for her. She is a good person and I am sure she will do her (new) job well.”

Mrs Panday, who was reluctant to be interviewed, said Mr Panday was in good spirits. “God is good,” she said, when asked how she was coping.

Persad-Bissessar, who said she was “humbled” by the support she received, stated she was “extending her hand to all — those who supported her and those who didn’t. In this regard, one of her first calls was to Political Leader Winston Dookeran, with whom she was due to meet last night.

“We both want the same thing- to move the PNM,” she said. Persad-Bissessar stated that she has three priorities right now. First order of business was the organisation of a strategy to ensure that Basdeo Panday got justice. She said she was “deeply concerned” that he remained incarcerated. Secondly, she said, she wanted to solidify and strengthen the UNC. Persad-Bissessar stated that she also wanted the Opposition to address the number one issue in the country — crime. She said the answer to the problem was not building more prisons and locking up more people, but to ensuring that there was a collective return to family values.

“I know that there would be many challenges in this post. But with faith in God, I believe that I can do the job and I can make a difference. And I believe that the UNC will form the next Government,” she said.

Newsday also spoke to Winston Dookeran. In response to questions about his political future in the light of his public humiliation on Monday night at Rienzi Complex and in the light of the selection of Persad-Bissessar as Opposition Leader, Dookeran said he would be taking this matter to the membership of the party. He said he was weighing his options and he wanted the party’s membership to be involved. He said the consultation would involve public meetings.

“I have recognised that there is a grouping, a cabal, within the Executive that has been able to effect change outside of the normal democratic process. They have been able to direct public insult to me and to the office which I hold,” he said.

On claims that he did not support Panday during his period of difficulty, Dookeran said : “I have stayed the course (with Mr Panday). I joined him in the struggle, notwithstanding all the circumstances. I have always dealt with Mr Panday with the highest measure of respect and decorum. And the view that I did not support him is merely meant to create mischief”.