2012 is year to build MSJ: Abdullah

David Abdullah made it clear on Monday that the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) remains firmly committed to the People's Partnership. However he said his mission as the MSJ's new leader is to continue to build the party, which changed its status last year from an activist group to a political party.

Abdullah became the new leader Sunday after Labour Minister and MP for Pointe a Pierre stepped down.

Speaking on national television, Abdullah, said 2012 will be the year to build the party while it continues to remain a member of the governing coalition.

He said this is necessary so that the party could stand on its own.

The coalition that won the election in 2010 is made of five political groups, including the MSJ. They shared a common platform with each group maintaing its individuality. This allows free debate on critical national issues.

Abdullah said that's why the chairmen of the five organisations met last year and made recommendations to move forward.

"The key therefore is to move beyond that discussion at that level. That is why Prakash Ramadhar of the COP made a call for the leaders to meet because obviously if the decision does not come from the very top of all the parties, in terms of all the leaders agreeing this is the way forward, then the lower levels really cannot function, given the party politics in the country," Abdullah said.

The new MSJ leader said building a strong party does not necessarily mean the party will fight an election independently.

He said such a situation will emerge only if the process of dialogue and consensus building does not exist in the way it ought to exist. He added that it could also happen if "conflict over key policy questions becomes so sharp that it is difficult for a party to abide by what the others wish to do so."

Related: Commentary: McLeod's departure from MSJ won't damage coalition