1 week ago
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Senior Reporter
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s blunt warning to Cabinet members that she will “buss their heads” and take decisive action if they are found cavorting with Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) members, crooked contractors, or “fake elites,” has drawn strong support from political analysts, who say this tone reflects the kind of decisive leadership the country needs.
Speaking at the UNC’s Monday Night Report at Camden Hall, Couva, Persad-Bissessar declared that any MP caught engaging in questionable alliances would face public exposure, dismissal from Government, and possible legal consequences.
Political analyst Dr Shane Mohammed yesterday described the warning as both timely and necessary, pointing to three key speeches, Persad-Bissessar’s inauguration, her Cabinet swearing-in, and this latest address, as clear markers of her leadership stance.
“It was free speech. If the people who claim to be loyal to the party and loyal to her, and in her quest to govern this country effectively, have, for a brief second, a gap in their thought process, and hubris has stepped in, they need to revert to three critical speeches.
“The initial inauguration speech is very instructive and directional. The speech that she gave when she swore in her Cabinet and that speech last night, I think, how many warnings do you want? It’s three and it’s strike three and you’re out. So I agree with her,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed rejected suggestions that the Prime Minister’s language was harsh, arguing that her forthrightness is part of her political strength.
“I’ve seen and I’ve experienced where the goodness of the lady was taken for granted, and she lost an election as a result, and she lost the prime ministership.”
Mohammed added that Government ministers had to either shape up or ship out.
“Nobody is entitled, at this stage, to disrupt the legacy train that is en route to deliver to this country what is necessary for good governance. This is strong leadership,” he said.
“I would say she’s right, let her do what she needs to do. And if tomorrow morning the Prime Minister decides to have a reshuffle and people get fired and their throat get bust, as we like to say in jargon, then so be it.”
Meanwhile, political analyst Dr Winford James said Persad-Bissessar’s remarks underscored a commitment to maintaining discipline and integrity within her administration. He said efforts are being made to ensure her political legacy is not compromised.
“She can afford to talk the way she’s talking, and I would say her ministers had better listen to her because I don’t think she will brook any nonsense that will affect her legacy.”
James warned that ministers must take heed to the PM’s warnings.
“I am sure her attitude is signalling that she will be brooking no nonsense in her last five years. I don’t imagine she will go beyond 78. Of course, I don’t control the life spans of people, but there must have been a motivation for what she said, but she wants to do her best so she leaves a good legacy.”
Former UNC deputy political leader Dr Surujrattan Rambachan also took to social media, saying he was glad the Prime Minister identified what was happening with her ministers and applauded her leadership position.
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