Kamla: I have no time for PNM business

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar SC and Minister of the Environment and Water Resources Ganga Singh.

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar yesterday urged United National Congress (UNC) supporters to not worry about developments relating to the People’s National Movement (PNM) and Pennelope Beckles-Robinson’s bid for leadership of the Opposition party.

At a swearing in ceremony for UNC St Joseph party groups, at La Joya Complex, Eastern Main Road, St Joseph. Persad-Bissessar wished Beckles Robinson good luck in her bid but said it would be for the democratic process to ultimately decide who will win the PNM leadership contest. Speaking with reporters earlier, Persad-Bissessar said, “I wish her good luck. I wish them all good luck. I do not wish to comment on PNM business.”

Later addressing a packed auditorium the Prime Minister said, “I will not talk about the affairs of that party. Democracy will deal with that. They have a one man one vote system.”

She continued, “As far as I am concerned. I have no time for their business. You know what I have time for? The nation’s business.”

In an apparent allusion to polls that show the People’s Partnership (PP) behind and which give Beckles-Robinson a favourable outlook for the general elections due in 2015, Persad-Bissessar said, “Let not your heart be troubled with polls and otherwise.”

She expressed confidence that the People’s Partnership would win the next election. She said, “We are ready for them. We are moving forward to 2015. It is not going to be easy. It is going to be challenging but nothing comes too easy.”

She said she was privileged to be elected TT’s first woman prime minister and added, “In 2015, the UNC will have the distinct honour of re-electing a woman prime minister. We will capture and regain, every piece of ground.”

The Prime Minister attacked the PNM’s parliamentary record, particularly instances of botched procedures. She said: “Rather than seeking to put votes where the people would benefit from it, they engage in political grandstanding. “They are angry and leaderless with no alternative recommendations for governance.” ...READ MORE