Panday, Dookeran want independent inquiry into Bakr's affidavit

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday wants an independent inquiry into allegations by Jamaat-al-Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr about a deal to help the People's National Movement (PNM) win the 2002 general election in return for a list of favours, including the forgiving of millions of dollars that Bakr owed the state.

The former prime minister, who was kicked out of office in 2001 by President Robinson, said there is public perception of political interference in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and only an independent probe would be acceptable.

Panday said the opposition must be allowed to have an input in selecting the people who would conduct the investigation.

He told the Express newspaper he was happy to learn that a high court judge had asked for the contentious Bakr affidavit be forwarded to the DPP, calling it "a tremendous example that gives us courage that there are some people in the judiciary who are still independent."

The Couva North MP pointed to Manning's action in blocking the appointment of the current DPP, who will be sworn in as a judge this week, and said it is clear that the prime minister wants to control the DPP.

He said under these circumstances where Manning's conduct is being questioned and "because I know that the confidence of people in the judiciary has fallen very low" there must be an independent inquiry.

The Political Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) has also commented on the matter. Winston Dookeran told the paper he wrote Manning four months ago, calling on him to refute allegations contained in Bakr's affidavit.

He said he got a reply from Manning saying the matter had been referred to the attorney general but since then he had heard nothing about it.

"I am very much encouraged that the matter has come back into the public focus," he said, adding that if Manning does not speak out on this, then it will create further doubts in the minds of the people.

"We support the need for a probe. We look forward to it and hope that this matter would not be swept under the carpet."

Here's some of what Bakr alleges in his affidavit:

• The Jamaat-al-Muslimeen would work within the crime-ridden area to bring about a reduction in crime
• The Jamaat would work within the poor areas in the marginal constituencies to mobilise the voting persons to vote
• In the "ghetto" the Jamaat and its members would be responsible for developing strategies to ensure a high or higher-than-usual turnout of voters in the marginal constituencies
• The Jamaat would publicly come out in favour of the ruling party in Government and endorse the PNM party for re-election
• The Jamaat and its members would work actively in campaigning for the PNM party in the marginal seats
• The Jamaat would "go to the people" and ensure that they voted and voted for the PNM party
• The Jamaat would be responsible for ensuring the orderly implementation of social programmes in the targeted marginal constituencies

It said Manning the plan was accepted by the PNM leader, who agreed to a list of Muslimeen demands, which included a promise to write off debt to the state amounting to several million dollars. Bakr claimed that once Manning won the election he reneged on the deal.