Amidst decent from some party members, Opposition Chief Whip David Lee and UNC chairman Davendranath Tancoo are defending Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the party.

Both made statements of support on Saturday in response to Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally saying another leader was needed if the United National Congress (UNC) was to win the next general election.

At a press conference on April 12, Rambally advocated for timely internal elections and called for accountability and transparency from the party leadership.

He said Opposition MPs rarely met before debating bills or matters affecting the party as a whole and Parliamentary debates on government policy that require in-depth analysis were often neglected with little or no co-ordination before debates.

He also alluded to accusations made by the Prime Minister about “a human trafficker” on the Opposition benches in the Parliament saying there were too many issues of credibility and allegations of wrongdoing to be shaken off.

in response to Rambally, Persad-Bissessar stated on April 12 saying there was no room for intolerance and extremism in the party or the country. She added that the “public rants” by a few members only helped the current “oppressive government.”

"As leader, I represent all people equally and fairly. I cannot and will not be controlled by any individual or group to promote any singular agenda at the expense of other sections of society."

Tancoo said he had no problem with people in the party having differences of opinion but concerns should be raised within the party structure, “with an open mind, without the bitterness and misinformation.”

But, he said that would only happen if the point was to build the party and the nation, and comments were based on fact with the intent to provide a platform for truth and growth.

“One cannot purport to be fighting for democracy by attacking the demonstrated democratic rights of members of the United National Congress. The UNC political leader and the national executive have been elected by the majority in a democratic election to serve for a particular time frame, and in full compliance with the party’s constitution.

“For a few persons to now make demands that the demonstrated will of the majority should be ignored because they feel they are better suited is illogical and, contrary to the UNC’s constitution and values.”

He said the timing was also suspicious with the general elections and the election for political leader due next year, and the party’s internal elections due in June. He said with officials making it clear the party would continue to abide by the constitution, the call for internal election was a non-issue.

He added that it made no sense to say the party was unprepared for the general election while demanding it stop preparations for it.

“Similarly, it is also illogical to claim to be fighting for the democratic freedom to express your view, while simultaneously attacking the membership of the UNC, who have a view opposed to yours. That itself is