Oppositing disunity helping government: Deosaran

An independent Senator has expressed concern that the divisions in the official opposition in Trinidad and Tobago is allowing the Manning administration to boldly introduce and pass legislation that is not in the people's interest.

Ramesh Deosaran made the observation Tuesday during his contribution to the debate on the controversial property tax bills, which will take effect on January 1, 2010.

"I consider it a miracle that the Government is confident to bring a bill like these two and still feel confident that they will win the next general elections," Deosaran told the upper House.

“I stand very alarmed with the chances you are taking with this bill and the other one unless you are depending on CEPEP to win. I think something has gone wrong,” he added.
Deosaran suggested that the fragmented opposition is giving Prime Minister Patrick Manning the audacity to do as it pleases.

“If the country is hurting because of whatever the ailments inflicted by the Government on the population, the country is also hurting by the unnecessary divisiveness, disunity and fragmentation caused by not having an alternative government.

“As long as the opposition forces remain in this realm of disunity, to that extent the country will also be hurting...If only we could have had what the Constitution system requires: a strong ready, viable opposition," the Senator said.

He also spoke about a meeting on Christmas day between Health Minister Jerry Narace and UNC vice chairman Vasant Bharat. Both men have said it was a social meeting between friends, but Deosaran said the signal that it sent is wrong.

“Minister of Health, this is not good. This is not helping. This opposition disunity is not healthy for the country,” he said.

Deosaran also addressed the UNC internal issues and the absence from the Senate of opposition Senator Lyndira Oudit from Tuesday's sitting one day after she stated publicly that she is supporting Kamla Persad-Bissessar for the leadership of the UNC.

He suggested that opposition Senate Leader Wade Mark should throw his hat in the ring and run for the leadership.