COP disagrees with Mayers, say PP government strong and will get stronger

The chairman of the Congress of the People (COP), Joseph Toney, disagrees with COP deputy leader Robert Mayers who has said the People's Partnership coalition is not working and suggested that COP must get out of it now or lose its credibility.

Mayers made the statement in an interview with the Sunday Guardian, which appeared to be in conflict with COP's official position. On Monday Mayers clarified his statement to explain that what he said was his "personal opinion" and not that of the party.

He said in his view the partnership operates as as if it were "an electoral arrangement to win the election", arguing that no structures have been put in place to date to honour the Fyzabad declaration of April 2010 that established the partnership. Mayers said the PP is operating "as a monolithic party and not a collation".

In response to the strong comments, Toney said the People's Partnership Government is healthy and strong, which is the view that has also been expressed by the leader of the party, Finance Minister Winston Dookeran and other COP members who are a part of the government.

Toney told local media Mayers is entitled to his opinion but, "the Partnership Government is strong and work is going on a pace to make it even stronger".