Tuesday, April 3, 2012

COP columnist chastises Ramadhar, calls for censure of Roberts

A column by David Fraser posted in I LoVe PoLiTicS on Tuesday has accused the leader of the Congress of the People (COP) of "treachery" due to his flip flop on the Coudray matter currently engaging the attention of the the leaders of the People's Partnership.

Fraser claimed that at last Thursday's cabinet meeting Prakash Ramadhar faced "a hail storm of rants from an obviously embarrassed and frustrated Prime Minister who virtually read the riot act to members, particularly those of the COP" .

Citing unnamed sources, whom he described as "very well placed and highly credible", Fraser said the Prime Minister made it clear to everyone that anyone who wished to leave could do so and that she was not afraid to call an election.

That point is at odds with Kamla Persad-Bissessar's position. She has always insisted that elections will be held when they are constitutionally due, which is 2015.

Fraser also wrote about events at Sunday's meeting of COP leaders.

"The meeting on Sunday went well until Mr. Ramadhar said he was feeling sorry for the media and left the room just to say hello and ended up making a statement which was absolutely against the position taken by the team, led by Mr. Vernon De Lima SC and Acting Chairman of the COP," Fraser wrote.

He added, "According to shocked insiders, even Nirad Tiwarie was taken by surprise to hear that he advocated the absolute position that the COP would never leave the partnership and that they were committed. It was their trump card or Ace in the hole.

"Some analysts are saying that this may (be) tantamount to treachery meaning that you insisted on consoling the media and demonstrating your kindness in an attempt to go out there and try to resolve the issues even if it means making the party and himself look bad.

"Mr. Ramadhar's recent statement indicates that he has in fact capitulated and only trying to hold on since he is thinking about self and not the wider interest of the party's membership, a source of great concern.

"Senior Counsel Vernon De Lima was already assigned the responsibility to liaise with the media, did so and opted to remain in the building when Prakash said he wanted to go and address them after the official party lines were given to the press by the Acting Chairman."

Fraser said he was "reliably informed that Mr. De Lima told the media that things were premature to make a definitive statement and that the talks were ongoing." 

The column, which is circulating on the Internet, also raised the issue of Sports Minister Anil Roberts, who has stated publicly that he did not agree with the COP position and that Ramadhar did not speak for him. 

Fraser wrote, "Some persons are wondering why Political Leader of the COP Mr. Prakash Ramadhar is allowing him (Roberts) to rant and attempt to tarnish or bring into disrepute the character of the De Lima family name, which is a powerful social network who have more than contributed to the modern history of Trinidad and Tobago and are people of decency and class. 

"Mr. De Lima SC as it is well known, is the De Facto leader of the French Creole community and speaks for them, and it will be a telling shame that he is not defended by Mr. Ramadhar."

Fraser said Roberts must be taught a lesson that "you cannot insult prominent members of society and walk away without facing the consequences, especially when it brings the COP, a party known for its decency, high principles, and class, into rum shop type odium and disrepute."

Fraser's column ended with a question: "Where does the COP go next?"

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai