Ramadhar makes no apologies for requesting meeting of coalition partners

Prakash Ramadhar told members of his Congress of the People (COP) Friday night there is no reason for him to apologise for asking for a meeting of leader of the People's Partnership leaders to assess the government’s performance. 

The COP leader wrote the Prime Minister requesting the meeting the week before and then made a public announcement about it. 

Many commentators and some of his political colleagues suggested that he went about it the wrong way, noting that he should keep it as a private matter among the coalition members.

However speaking at COP's Christmas party, Ramadhar said any organisation that does not wish to assess itself will be assessed by the people. 

He also made a commitment to ensure the People’s Partnership lives up to the highest expectations of honesty and integrity in public life. He added that any office holder who is “incompetent or incapable” should be replaced. 

“We all know it is necessary in any organisation, especially in a period at the end of the year, that you stand back and you assess where you are, how you got there and how next do you move to always improve," Ramadhar told COP members. 

“I make apologies to no one for doing what I think was right. And let it not be misunderstood, my statement is not just about the COP. My statement was about the very survival and success of the People’s Partnership,” Ramadhar said.

“Any organisation that does not wish to improve itself will fall on mediocrity. This party is not about mediocrity; it’s about meritocracy. Those who occupy positions must live up to the expectations of this business and if they are not up to the task, they will have an opportunity to improve. 

"After that the people’s work must always succeed and if they are not competent or capable, they must make way for those who are,” Ramadhar said.

He said his party created the vehicle that took the People’s Partnership into government and that it was COP's duty to ensure that it operates efficiently. 

"There are great challenges ahead and I want to make this commitment to you, that your leader will bow out of respect but he will never bend. He may do things with diplomacy, but he will never be broken. Your leader will always consult with you to get the best ideas and best way forward and work together with you,” Ramadhar declared.