Kamla urges citizens to join the UNC

Persad-Bissessar, who served in Panday’s cabinet from 1995 to 2001, defeated him for the UNC’s leadership in the party’s internal elections on January 24, 2010. Prior to and after his removal as UNC leader, Panday has been critical of Persad- Bissessar’s leadership of both the UNC and the former People’s Partnership (PP) government (in which the UNC was a part).

“As our political party marks its 28th anniversary, I am reminded of the struggle of our founding leaders,” Persad-Bissessar said.

Claiming the former Patrick Manning administration and the incumbent Dr Keith Rowley administration lack the expertise or the political will to manage the country’s economy, Persad-Bissessar boasted, “Under the government that I led, this country saw a return to economic growth, the creation of more than 55,000 jobs and a significant reduction in serious crime.” She also said the PP, “had a plan for further growth of our economy through diversification, and the creation of a knowledge-intensive economy that was aimed at maximising job creation to ensure that citizens enjoyed a higher standard of living.” Persad-Bissessar urged UNC supporters to commit themselves, “ to working even harder to build our party and our country.”