Senior Reporter
jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt
Former prime minister Basdeo Panday is not confident that there will be any cooperation between the PNM Government and the Opposition UNC in tackling the crime scourge, as envisioned by President Christine Kangaloo.
During an address at the ceremonial opening of the Fourth Session of the 12th Parliament yesterday, Kangaloo, who is also the Commander in Chief, called on those assembled in the parliamentary chamber to put their differences aside and act together in ending the crime scourge.
She stated, “The urgency is obvious, the pain and suffering are unbearable, these alone should drive parliamentarians to put aside their party rivalries, join hands across the aisle and collaborate on how to stem crime and criminal conduct.”
In an interview with Guardian Media during the cocktail reception afterwards, Panday said he would not be holding his breath on Government and Opposition members standing together against crime.
“How can you put aside differences between the Opposition and the Government. The Government wants to keep them in Opposition and the Opposition wants to take the Government’s position, they are at war. When they are at war, how you expect them to co-operate?
“You expect the Opposition to co-operate with the Government to win the next election, or you expect Government to cooperate with the Opposition for them to win the next election, surely not, I don’t think so,” he said.