Avoiding the gutter

The issue is not necessarily who the stronger or better candidate is in the UNC internal elections. If the objective is to dislodge the PNM from office the relevant questions are:

• whose style is more amenable and conducive to achieving political unity among the warring opposition forces
• who is most likely to attract cross-over support from other ethnic groups
• who has a realistic chance of targeting and capturing a base on their own
• who has the political experience to handle the PNM
• who would Panday feel more comfortable to endorse

The positive and warm response from NGO’s and Women’s Rights Groups that greeted Kamla’s announcement shows that she has an identifiable gender base that crosses the racial divide. Whether this maternal/wifely support will translate into votes is another matter but it is clear that as a female political leader she has a following.

She has the political experience to target and strengthen both the Indo-Trinidadian base and the pliable ‘middle passage’ voters who seem frustrated with the PNM but dislike Panday.

Kamla’s dilemma is truly delicate. How does she step out of Panday’s shadow without severing the very umbilical cord that nursed her political career to such heights? She must win over and rally support from Panday’s fan club without criticizing him too much because his base is the party’s spine. She must carefully, deliberately and simultaneously distance herself from Panday’s autocratic leadership style and numerous unforced political errors and mistakes.

She must gently ease and wean herself away from her political guru Panday so that people can see that she is capable of leadership without Panday as the ultimate puppet master.  She must strike the right balance by associating herself with and projecting herself as a child of Panday whilst communicating her own dreams and visions for members. She must sing from her own hymn book, and promote a new political template. New ideas must emerge from her platform to show how she can take the country forward.

She must be wary of Panday’s destructive Machiavellian plans. He is the ultimate strategist and tactician. He has once again checkmated his two main political rivals. If Ramesh, Jack and Kamla start ‘fighting ‘ each other they will simply cancel out each other and destroy their  political worth and value.  Panday would rise like a Phoenix from the ashes and emerge as the only true leader and statesman by default.

This election is analogous to the leadership battle via the primaries in Democratic Party in the USA. Black Barak Obama created history by defeating white female dynastic Hilary Clinton. Part of the strategy that worked for him was the fact that he never stooped to her level. When desperation set in and Hilary’s attacks became personal, Barak remained focused on the issues and displayed respect for his opponent. He publicly recognised her political value and worth and praised her as worthy opponent.

By not ‘killing’ Hilary, Barak was able to win over her massive support base by embracing her and making her a part of his team. She campaigned for him and helped him to win the presidential election. This style of leadership is badly needed in the UNC and T&T.  Ramesh is a formidable political opponent whose only crime is that he exposed political corruption and became a thorn in Panday’s political ego. He was, at one time, seen as his natural successor.

Ramesh is a one-man army; an institution in his own right; a fearless fighter with an in-depth knowledge of the flaws in the system. The fact that people fear him and he is seen as ruthless is both a strength and weakness but a good leader will know how to harness and use this to the benefit of the party. He has his own political value at a time of high crime. They should aim for each other’s political shoulder but not the heart.

Kamla and Ramesh must not fall into the trap of attacking each other so much that their campaign descends into a mud wrestling match with a smiling, snickering Panday looking on as match referee. Jack’s endorsement of Kamla’s bid for leadership is a significant development for Jack is the only man that can build the bridges between the gaps that must be connected to mount a credible challenge to the PNM. 

Kamla’s challenge is to get people to realize that she has a brain of her own and was simply biding her time, waiting for the right moment to toss her hat into the ring. Patience is a virtue and Kamla has certainly waited for a very long time for this opportunity.  She must not squander it by descending into the gutter politics of the past. Rise Kamla, for now is your time. You’ve come too far to turn back now.

By Anand Ramlogan