The allegations of the former First Lady against President Jagdeo

Aug 20, 2010 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

Stella Ramsaroop who used to write a frequent column in this paper dropped off the radar a few years ago because of serious illness, as she explained. But Stella is back already. Her Wednesday piece was lovely, touching and engaging. Titled; “I can see clearly now: The case of the former First Lady,” it takes a feminist and sympathetic look at the cries of alleged mistreatment of the Former First Lady by her common-law husband, President Jagdeo. The term common-law is totally acceptable as a description because Ms. Varshnie Singh and Mr. Jagdeo were not legally married. The lawyers advised me to use the word, “alleged.”
I wasn’t happy with that direction. I explained to the lawyers that if there is no rejection of the accusations made, then the word, “alleged” becomes irrelevant. It was pointed out to me that the indictment of the Former First Lady against Mr. Jagdeo has not been proven and therefore they cannot be treated as facts. In this context then, I was told that the words of the Former First Lady, Varshnie Singh are her words, and as such must be treated as allegations not facts. I am not an attorney- at-law so I have to abide by the legal advice given.
One lawyer said to me; “Freddie, put the word “alleged” before you get another libel suit from Mr. Jagdeo. Well alright, this article is about the alleged mistreatment of Ms. Varshnie Singh by Mr. Jagdeo. After speaking to my lawyers, I went back and checked my column at the time of the press release by Ms. Singh when she launched her devastating attack on Mr. Jagdeo.
In fact I did use the word, “alleged” throughout my article. So I wasted time to consult three lawyers. But they did say to me most unambiguously that it is the right of a citizen in a situation like this where there is no rebuttal against the numerous indictments of Ms. Singh to state where their belief lies. The three lawyers whose opinion I sought told me I am within my right to say if I believe or disbelieve Ms. Singh. I guess, all, I repeat, all readers would know where I stand. Anyway, back to Stella.
She wrote; “Whatever respect I had for Jagdeo…is now exhausted … there is so much more I would like to say on this subject, but I fear my editor would not be too happy with the words I would use.” Fear of the editorial knife should not deter Stella from candidly stating how she feels about what Varshnie Singh had to say. I have written four times, I repeat, four times that I am convinced that in most, if not a majority of countries in the world, given the statements issued by Ms. Singh against the President, the Head of State could not have preserved his career.
What I would like to read from Stella Ramsaroop is how she perceives the role of the parliamentary opposition, given that they are finished with the Singh/Jagdeo confrontation and continue to sit in Parliament. I have enunciated my position as a citizen on this page before and I am repeating it now; after the revelations by Ms. Singh, the society, the totality of the Guyanese society should have demanded the resignation of Mr. Jagdeo. The words of the Former First Lady remain allegations, but there is a fact that is largely imprinted on the face of this country – President Jagdeo willingly allowed the Guyanese people to believe that Ms. Varshnie Singh was the legal First Lady in that he was legally married to her.
This was the line that Mr. Jagdeo crossed for which he should not have been forgiven by the parliamentary opposition. After this unimaginable descent into wrongdoing by Mr. Jagdeo, the parliamentary opposition should have decisively broken with the parliamentary process once the ruling party, the PPP, did not have Mr. Jagdeo recalled. All around this society, hypocrisy prevails. If there is any opposition conglomeration that doesn’t have the respect and admiration of the populace it is Guyana. It is hard for any citizen to conjure up even a modicum of recognition for the parliamentary opposition. Indeed the hypocrisy is all over this country. Red Thread, the women rights group came out against the President after Ms. Singh spoke up. But two of their leaders traveled with Mr. Jagdeo as Guyana’s representatives to climate change talks in Copenhagen, where they endorsed Mr. Jagdeo’s so-called LCDS. These two ladies are also in the WPA leadership. Walter Rodney must be turning in his grave.

Latest News

The allegations of the former First Lady against President Jagdeo

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyanese MMA star Harris set for octagon return on January 11

GCF Calls Urgent Extraordinary General Meeting to...

Mashramani Street Football Championships to kick...

Boxing not currently on the program for the 2028...

Finding better qualified Guyana Cricket Board...

Kellman’s 3-goal brilliance inspires Sparta...

Features/Columnists

Boxing should be banned

Forget Begging Rich Nations: Caribbean Countries Should Act to Save Themselves

2024 – more reflections

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

The allegations of the former First Lady against President Jagdeo

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]