Weeks after Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar chastised Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial for her indecision in not openly demonstrating her support for her bid to retain leadership of the United National Congress (UNC), Ramdial has decided to go it alone in a bid for deputy political leader.
Ramdial said after much introspection and consultations with her constituency, executive and party groups, she knew she had to run.
"I have decided to declare my intention to run as an independent candidate for the position of Deputy Political Leader," Ramdial said.
In a statement issued last night, Ramdial said: "At this juncture the party is bigger than the individual and the UNC needs rebuilding urgently if we are to present ourselves as a viable option for government in 2020.
"Therefore the onus rests on the membership of the UNC to choose a strong national executive that will be able to effect change and rebuild the structures which we can rely upon to win the next General Election."
Ramdial said she firmly believe the membership will vote across slates to ensure the best leaders are chosen and advocated against any and all negative or destructive campaigning.
There is a three way race for leadership with the main contenders being the incumbent Persad-Bissessar and challengers Dr Rudy Moonilal and Vasant Bharath.
Ramdial. the only independent thus far, ahead of the November 20 nomination day said: "There must be no fracturing regardless of the outcome. Ours are a party based on unity and love, bringing all together under the UNC umbrella offering hope for a brighter day.”
Ramdial said she is qualified for the position based on her experience, humility, hard work and impregnable defence of the party's name throughout her term as Elections Officer on the National Executive, Director of the UNC Academy and as a Member of Parliament and Minister in the former People’s Partnership Government.
She will square off against former Oropouche West MP Stacy Roopnarine who is contesting the same position on the Bharath slate, as well as attorney Larry Lalla and trade unionist James Lambert, the latter two who were announced last night as contenders on Moonilal's slate.
Bharath is expected to announce his slate on Saturday. Persad-Bissessar is yet to indicate any intention to identify her slate ahead of the December 5 internal elections.