GOVERNMENT ministers have mounted a defence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar over her Independence Day message to United National Congress (UNC) supporters, accusing her critics of hypocrisy, self-interest and seeking favour from political and economic elites.The defence by the ministers follows criticism of Persad-Bissessar’s Independence message to UNC supporters and comes amid a wider debate over its tone and implications.‘Honest and thought-provoking message’Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath rejected the suggestion that Persad-Bissessar’s message was directed at citizens on the basis of race.“The Prime Minister’s message to UNC supporters during this year’s Independence Day celebrations has seen several known PNM sympathisers and self-loathing individuals from within the Indian community coming out of their proverbial holes,” he said.Padarath said Persad-Bissessar had articulated what he considered a political reality that had existed for decades.“The Honourable Prime Minister’s very frank, blatantly honest and thought-provoking message to the UNC membership speaks to a reality that had existed under the PNM for decades in Trinidad and Tobago. It is meant to embolden the UNC membership and not a segment of the society based on race.”He said the message had clearly unsettled some people.“However, this message seems to have made many inside and outside of the PNM very uncomfortable, so much so, some of them appear to have gone mad,” he added.He also alleged some of the people now criticising Persad-Bissessar had previously attempted to undermine the UNC ahead of last year’s general election.“Some of these very critics of the Prime Minister’s Independence message engaged in backroom deals in an attempt to take over the UNC by brokering deals with the PNM ahead of the 2025 general election.“Today, they chastise the Prime Minister for something they have failed to do, which is to speak up and speak out against the injustice that has occurred not only against their own community but others as well.”Padarath alleged those actions were driven by personal ambition.‘Blueprint of hope’Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Nicholas Morris also strongly defended Persad-Bissessar, framing her Independence message as a defence of communities he said were neglected by the former administration.“Having served as a child of the United National Congress (UNC) since the age of 16, from Youth Arm chairman to the National Executive, to now serving as a Member of Parliament for a constituency that has been thoroughly neglected by the last administration for over a decade, the Prime Minister’s Independence Day messages represent a blueprint of hope as they demonstrate her iron-like fortitude to stand for those who have been left behind.”Morris also rejected criticism of Persad-Bissessar for directing an Independence message specifically to her political supporters. He said Persad-Bissessar and UNC supporters had resisted what he described as the former administration’s “draconian” policies.“As a matter of fact, the Prime Minister has a duty to send an Independence Day message to her party because under her leadership she has transformed the UNC into a party that is representative of our entire nation, taking the UNC to the strongest it has ever been in its existence.”He then turned his attention directly to Mickela Panday, daughter of UNC founder Basdeo Panday and political leader of Patriotic Front, who criticised the Prime Minister’s message as “promoting division and attempting to gaslight the country”.Morris said: “As a UNC member for almost half of my life and a Member of Parliament, I find it comical, if it not hysterical that Mickela Panday boasts about the ‘party her father created’ when it was the Prime Minister together with others who spent their careers building the UNC while she insulted us, demonised us, and even competed against us electorally.”‘Proud legacy of service’Davendranath Tancoo, the UNC chairman and Finance Minister, also publicly backed Persad-Bissessar and the party’s supporters.“As chairman of the United National Congress, I stand firmly with our political leader, the Honourable Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, and the entire UNC membership. Our movement is built on a proud legacy of service, dedication, and an outstanding track record of improving the lives of ordinary citizens across Trinidad and Tobago.”