Deputy Political Leader of the Congress of the People and Minister of Legal Affairs Prakash Ramadhar is sticking to his position that Works Minister Jack Warner should step aside until his troubles with FIFA are brought to an end..a view opposed to that of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. A successful attorney who left a lucrative private practice to enter national politics, Ramadhar angrily reacts to a suggestion by the Chairman of the Opposition People's National Movement Franklin Khan, that the PNM should consider abandoning its win alone or lose alone policy and become part of a coalition group to get back into political office.
Q: Mr Minister, you have had some time to reconsider your stand, are you still of the view that Mr Warner should step aside until this bacchanal with FIFA is over?
A: (At his South Quay, Ministry of Legal Affairs head office Thursday morning) My and the party's statement has nothing to do with personalities; it has to do with a very basic principle that when a substantial allegation is being made it is incumbent upon the office holder to step down until the investigation is completed.
Considering that the Prime Minister's position is diametrically opposed to yours...? It is not diametrically opposed at all; one is legalistic and the other is political. Your stance is exactly that of the Opposition People National Movement, and doesn't this give the perception of some kind of link with the PNM? We have a right to make a statement on principle and may be there will be more when Mr Warner returns. We respect the decision made by the Prime Minister, because at the end of the day she has a duty to perform.
Mr Ramadhar, doesn't this also give the impression that there is no cohesion of views emanating from the Cabinet, something the PP administration was accused of by its detractors during its just completed first year in office? Let's make a fundamental distinction, Clevon, between a decision of Cabinet and an out of Cabinet decision. When we sit in Cabinet we are all bound by its collective decision, right? The new politics of the coalition is something we are all learning from as we proceed.
Mr Minister, those who share your view seek to make a similar kind of connection with the Mary King matter. Are you so inclined? (Clasping his hands while leaning back on his swivel chair) The principle is the same, the issues may be different.
Mr Ramadhar, given our culture don't you really believe that if he should accept your advice it would be an admission of guilt on Mr Warner's part? (An incredulous stare) Just the opposite actually. There is no admission of guilt for a proper investigation to be conducted and if I were in his shoes I would have stepped aside for my own personal benefit. Oh really? Yes, because I can only imagine the kind of attacks that would come on a daily basis by the enemies of the Partnership, especially the morally starved PNM, to try and bring us down.
Mr Minister, aren't we running the risk of having no one in the Cabinet if each time an allegation is made against that member he steps down, until the charge/s is/are investigated? That is why I premise it on the basis that it is not to take place on just about any allegation. It may end up being a wild allegation in this Warner issue because we do know that it was political gamesmanship at the highest level and with all respect, Mr Blatter outmanoeuvred Mr Warner in this one because the election went ahead unopposed..So we understand all of these things.
What about the argument that you are giving ammunition to the PNM to continue its attack on the PP administration and on Mr Warner? (A serious countenance while leaning forward) The hypocrisy of the PNM that they now abide by this new-quote and unquote-principle. (Getting emotional) I don't want to go through the entire trauma this nation has had to endure over the years under the several corrupt PNM regimes. Let's look now at the internal election of the Congress of the People in which you are running for the position of political leader.
How vital is this exercise to the politics of Trinidad and Tobago? It's important because the Congress of the People is an extremely important component of the People's Partnership. The COP needs the Partnership as well as the Partnership needs the COP. My mission is to ensure that the COP continues the work to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of not only its supporters, but the national community by extension. To be a stronger party in its own right.
If you were to be asked why should members vote for you instead of your rivals? Well, I have worked with this party since 2007 to ensure not just its survival but its growth and its strength. Are you aware of moves, subtle as they may be, to subsume the COP into the UNC? (Adjusting his wristwatch) You hear those statements all the time but I want to assure you that all who may believe that, that is not going to happen because the importance of coalition politics is about checks and balances on each other.
Mr Dookeran is being asked to reconsider his decision not to defend his post, are you in support of this request? We are very proud of Mr Dookeran and we shall build upon his work but this is a party of the future and we need a continued vision along the lines that Mr Dookeran has started. But with a new energy, a new thrust. We have been criticised for not being aggressive enough but we can have aggression that is respectful and respectable in achieving what we want for the party. I intend to bring that to the leadership of this party.
You will know Mr Dookeran better than most of us outside the party. Is he hurting at this time in the context of him being accused of being too soft, etc? Anyone would be hurt when they are not understood. The purity of one's action is what you judge and when time has passed and we reflect we will realise what a special person he has been. He is not one to shout and scream in the face of adversity. He is completely misunderstood because of the old culture of politics that believe it should be of entertainment value rather than governance value.
Mr Ramadhar, were you at any time during the last year worried that because of the numerous missteps of the PP Government that the coalition would not survive at least its first year? (Eyes wide open) Not at all. Long before the People's Partnership came into being the COP put tremendous time in bringing together the various interest groups so that we understood the need to bring the country together on an issue-based level and to worker together to win an election, which we did.
So I never had a doubt that it would succeed and it must succeed because our very political survival and the future of this country depends on the success of the component parties and the Partnership itself. It is very instructive to hear that because recently a very patriotic citizen told me that the PP must succeed because if it fails TT would be thrown back 50 years to the days of "n....." and "c......"! politics?
(A grave expression) Oh God, we cannot afford that!
For the first time the divides of the past are being removed. People are truly starting to feel one nation, one people. The country is far too small to be divided along any lines particularly on race. Finally Mr Ramadhar, what's your take on the recently stated position of the chairman of the PNM Mr Franklin Khan that his party should look at the possibility of being part of a coalition as the PNM would find it difficult to win an election on its own?
(A very angry tone) Let me disagree with him 100 per cent. I don't know what their views have been or what they are now. Their 20/20 vision is what has this country in this great jeopardy...at the edge of a precipice. If we had continued along that path we would have been a completely failed state at this point it in time. I don't want to even imagine the terror and trauma we would have been suffering now. Oh my gosh, are you really that vehemently against Mr Khan's suggestion?
We welcome all on board but don't tell me about PNM, now. You don't reinvent yourself now when you had every opportunity when you were warned you were destroying this nation and they did nothing to stop it. You are welcome to be part of saving Trinidad and Tobago but in the People's Partnership.