Category Archives: People’s Partnership

‘Dashiki’ Silence Disappointing

National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) leader Makandal Daaga
NJAC leader Makandal Daaga
As an Indo-Trinidadian, I was amazed to hear Mr. Manning speaking ill of the African dashiki on his platform almost a week ago (“Kamla surrounded by strong, dangerous men, says Manning” – Express, April 23). To hear an esteemed Afro-Trinidadian belittling a garment that is culturally identified with my African brothers and sisters is parallel to Mr. Panday admonishing me for consuming doubles. It is a new depth when we as a people are so bent on denigrating other races and ethnicities that we mistakenly miss the boat and begin to attack our very own as Mr. Manning, without thinking has done.
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Prime Minister Manning Says No Debate

PM Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar
PNM Patrick Manning vs UNC Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Kamla: I’m ready Manning: Nothing to gain

By Cecily Asson and Invera Arjoon
Wednesday, April 28 2010

WHILE UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar last night said she is willing to take part in a live national debate with Prime Minister Patrick Manning in the run up to the May 24 general election, Manning, who is the PNM’s political leader, was reluctant to participate.
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A People’s Partnership

LEFT: David Abdullah of the Movement for Social Justice, Congress of the People (COP) political leader Winston Dookeran, Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack, United National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) political leader Makandal Daaga, and chairman of the Movement for Social Justice Errol McLeod.
Opposition Parties Sign Unity Pact at Fyzabad Meeting
By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
April 27, 2010

All the symbols were there: they met at Fyzabad near the spot on which Charlie King was killed in the name of the people and they raised their hands in unity as they proclaimed a new partnership. Makandal Dagga, Errol McLeod and Ashworth Jack were necessarily somber. Winston Dookeran sought to infuse a philosophical dimension into the proceedings even though he attributed President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s words from his Inaugural Address (“The only thing you have to fear is fear itself”) to Martin Luther King even as Kamla Persad Bissessar aimed to invest a solemnity to the occasion by delivering her speech in tightly clinched phrases. It was almost as though being herself and using her normally mellifluous cadences would have betrayed a peasant sensibility that they may have thought was inappropriate for the occasion.
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Entry ban fallout

Minister of National Security Martin Joseph
Minister of National Security Martin Joseph
Newsday Editorial
April 27, 2010 – newsday.co.tt

Unless and until the Minister of National Security can convince us differently the following has to be said.

Bernard Campbell was not allowed to enter the country because the PNM was afraid that he would successfully help the UNC coalition win the election on May 24.
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Dr. Browne, you will grow old too

Minister of Social Development Dr. Amery Browne
Minister of Social Development Dr. Amery Browne
Monday, April 26 2010

THE EDITOR: The recent rumblings and overt tumblings in the PNM serve as just testimony to an increasingly alienated Prime Minister, largely divorced from the lives and challenges of the populace. To hear him on the campaign trail speaking of Makandal Daaga as a virtual has-been, whose prominence occurred 40 years ago, comes as no surprise to many regarding his attitude toward nation-builders and freedom-fighters that played a vital role in accentuating liberty in our land.
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History lessons for Manning

By Raffique Shah
April 25, 2010

National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) leader Makandal Daaga‘DID you hear the Prime Minister lashing out at you on the PNM platform last night?’ It was the kind of telephone calls and greetings I received repeatedly over the past week. I informed my ‘informants’ that I did hear Mr Manning mention my name, among others, as he attempted to give PNM supporters ‘History lessons’. As a columnist who writes on political issues, I need to stay tuned to the ranting on the hustings if I am to write informed comments.
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Obama Advisor Denied Entry to T&T

PM Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar
PNM Patrick Manning vs UNC Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Obama Advisor Deported
AMERICAN citizen Henry Bernard Campbell, who was part of the political strategy team which propelled Barack Obama to the White House, was deported from this country early yesterday morning, hours after arriving at Piarco International Airport from the US.

American strategist for UNC election campaign blocked at airport

Obama man sent back
UNC Political Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the deportation of Bernie Campbell—the former campaign strategist of Barack Obama—is an international disgrace that will affect diplomatic relations between T&T and the US.
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Opposition Parties Sign Unity Pact

LEFT: David Abdullah of the Movement for Social Justice, Congress of the People (COP) political leader Winston Dookeran, Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack, United National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) political leader Makandal Daaga, and chairman of the Movement for Social Justice Errol McLeod.
LEFT: David Abdullah of the Movement for Social Justice, Congress of the People (COP) political leader Winston Dookeran, Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack, United National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) leader Makandal Daaga, and chairman of the Movement for Social Justice Errol McLeod.
Opposition Unity Accord in Fyzabad Photo Album

Unity Accord signed
HISTORY was created at Charlie King Junction in Fyzabad when before a mammoth cheering crowd, the nation’s Opposition parties signed a historic ‘Declaration of Political Unity’, last night.
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Kamla: No property tax

Crazy the calypsonian, 'Manning must go, must go...' and UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog

Kamla: No property tax
UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar last night promised to repeal Property Tax legislation introduced by the PNM government as she pledged a UNC/COP government would not levy such a tax.

[audio:crazymanningmustgo.mp3]

Exits and entrances
Hearing my voice, the long-time Laventille resident (about 40, I’d think) leaned over my wall of a fence and sang after Crazy, the calypsonian: ‘Manning must go, must go…’
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United Force: UNC and COP

COP and UNC's Alliance
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog

United Force: Kamla selected as prime ministerial candidate
It is final – Trinidad and Tobago’s leading opposition parties and some trade unionists have agreed to unite and contest the May 24 general election under a single banner.

Kamla to focus on women’s issues
IN her first official speech following the announcement of an election date, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Friday vowed to focus on the issues of work and family life affecting local women.
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