Democracy is not known in the PPP NDCs

Nov 21, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,

I do not have a problem that the intention of the consultation process is to democratically choose the Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils as outlined by Mr Yusuf and I do not for a moment doubt that the consultation for his NDC was democratically done as was intended but what I am aware of is that this process is not democratically done in all the NDCs controlled by the PPP.
As a Councillor of the #52-74 NDC, I have a keen interest in what is going on in my NDC and those around since I do communicate with elected officials from the other NDCs. On Monday November 6, a consultation was held at the Crabwood Creek NDC and this was in no way democratic. At this consultation, Mr Zamal Hussain and Mr Dennis DeRoop were present along with Mr Vickram Bharrat.
I must say that at Mr Yusuf’s consultation Mr Hussain and DeRoop were absent and the consultation was done by Mr Bharrat only. I had mentioned in my previous letter that these were ‘Jagdeo lieutenants’ who would go around and influence who should vote for whom. These ‘lieutenants’ want people who they could control since this feeling of control helps to massage their huge egos and let them feel that they are still in Government.
At the Crabwood Creek NDC consultation, a number of PPP members who are not councillors were invited in addition to residents who are against the current Chairperson, Ms Ramela Bhadrasain. About 10 residents had staged a protest some months back against this Chairperson. They were allegedly instigated by the ex-Chairman, Mr Arjune.
These PPP members were allowed to ‘elect’ the previous Chairman who was booted out last year because of alleged corrupt practices. This man is a very close associate of Mr Hussain and Mr Deroop.
The normal practice during this consultation would have been for the current Chairperson to address the Consultation team and give reasons supporting her re-election but instead the PPP members who were there began verbally attacking the Chairperson. The selected invitees then began chanting that they wanted the previous Chairman.
These PPP members then proceeded to nominate the previous Chairman. This nomination was supposed to be done by the councilors. However, the councilors were not allowed to give their views during the consultation process. The councillors supportive of the current Chairperson were not allowed to speak. Is this democracy Mr Yusuf?
At the Consultation at the Port Mourant NDC, the current Chairman, Mr Imran Khan was outvoted by an NDC councillor, Mr Narinesammy, for the post as Chairman but the current Chairman is the favourite of Mr Hussain and Mr DeRoop. Will this nomination of Mr Narinesammy be allowed to stand?
It seems to me that if the councillors are headstrong and independent minded then it is difficult to influence them on how they should vote and I agree with Mr Yusuf that councillors will be more supportive where it is found that the Chairperson is doing well or badly.
In his case, his councillors supported him because of his exemplary performance but in the case of the Port Mourant Chairman, he has been embroiled in too many controversies and has lost the support of his councillors.
What about the Crabwood Creek’s NDC consultation? This is a clear case where the Chairperson, being an independent minded woman was the victim of an undemocratic process. It was a well-planned demolition job by Mr Hussain and Mr Deroop with Mr Bharrat playing an ‘uninterested’ spectator.
I want to remind these PPP officials that I was a member of the PNC and was a candidate at the Local Government election held under the PPP so I know the strategies and guerilla tactics which are sometimes deployed by the PPP.
I am also privy to news leaks from the Freedom House at #63 Village and would like to take this opportunity to give Dr Jagdeo a bit of advice: put these ‘lieutenants ‘ on a leash or lose the next General Election. They are outdated and their guerilla tactics will only force PPP members and supporters away.
Raj Lakram
Councillor
52-74 NDC

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