By Richardson Dhalai Monday, December 14 2009

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FUND RAISING: Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj receives money from two supporters at Penal Rock Road, Penal, yesterday, for his 'Money Bottle" whi...

TABAQUITE MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj is challenging his political opponents in the fight for the leadership of the United National Congress, to a national debate.

Maharaj, one of the contenders for the post of political leader of the UNC, wants the party’s incumbent leader Basdeo Panday and Siparia West MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar to join him in a debate.

Persad-Bissessar on Saturday announced her candidacy for the post of Political Leader of the UNC at the party’s internal elections on January 24, 2010.

As he intensified his campaigning yesterday in Persad-Bissessar’s constituency in Penal Rock Road, Maharaj launched a “Money Bottle,” which he said would be used to collect money to finance his campaign.

And modifying the campaign slogan used by US President Barack Obama, during his successful run for the US presidency in 2008, Maharaj said his motto — “Yes, we must” — was a clarion call for the party’s membership to ensure that a “warrior and a fighter” would be elected as the party’s next leader.

He also emphasised that no “big financier” would determine who is going to be the political leader.

His “Money Bottle” is an empty four litre water bottle and he began collecting funds from those who attending his meeting, yesterday.