Advising supporters to accept the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) victory at the polls, Kamla Persad-Bissessar last night said she had no regrets about her journey as T&T’s first female prime minister.
Persad-Bissessar delivered her concession speech at her Siparia constituency office last night before scores of supporters.
Saying she was at peace with herself, Persad-Bissessar thanked her loyal supporters saying she would never stop serving the people of T&T who placed their trust in her stewardship.
Asked whether she had any regrets about her campaign strategy, Persad-Bissessar responded, “No, I don’t regret the schools we built, or the highway or the health centres that we built for the people of T&T. Maybe next week when we do a post mortem we may see what went wrong but for now I am at peace knowing I did my best.”
She added, “It was not good enough for some people but in my heart I know I did my best.”
Persad-Bissessar said her journey as prime minister was very rewarding. Calling on supporters to accept the “people’s wishes,” Persad-Bissessar promised that she would always continue to serve. Thanking her supporters for giving her political life and political office, Persad-Bissessar said her team put up a brave fight.
“For now I am happy to be citizen Kamla and MP for Siparia. I respect the wishes of the people and I wish the new Government well,” she said.
Hundreds of supporters who gathered at Rienzi Complex left dejected as Persad-Bissessar failed to show up at the venue.
She explained that it was already too late to go to the complex, adding that there were other representatives who addressed the people. She also said that her victory was in Siparia where she obtained over 14,000 votes.
Persad-Bissessar said while the People’s Partnership did not win the majority of seats it was the preferred choice of the majority of citizens having obtained the majority of votes.
Earlier, Persad-Bissessar arrived at the constituency around 9.20 pm but did not immediately address supporters who gathered outside her Siparia constituency office in Penal.
While supporters blew horns, waved flags and danced to tassa music, Persad-Bissessar did not appear to be in a victorious mood.
“My first place to declare is Siparia. We are waiting for the results, so thank you Siparia. Victory is ours,” she said, before leaving the podium. By 10.30 pm, when the PNM edged forward, some of the supporters appeared to be very worried. Many put down their flags and horns and gazed intently at the television screen as they anxiously awaited incoming election results.