Businessman Peter Ramsaroop has endorsed the PPP/C.
A longstanding and bitter critic of the PPP/C and President Bharrat Jagdeo, Ramsaroop in a statement issued by the PPP/C yesterday said he had reviewed the party’s manifesto and was gratified that it had many key programmes in it.
Ramsaroop’s endorsement comes days after he issued an apology to Agriculture Minister and PPP/C Campaign Manager, Robert Persaud over statements he had made about him in a TV programme.
Ramsaroop, who had previously accused the Jagdeo administration of stymieing several of his business endeavours, started out with the PNCR and headed his own political party, PUP.
He later formed the Guyana People’s Partnership and had been preparing to campaign for the presidency in 2011. He also had stint with the Alliance For Change and had been in discussion with A Partnership for National Unity. In 2006 he had been part of concerted efforts for a united opposition to challenge the PPP/C but these efforts fell away.
In May last year, Ramsaroop had been at the centre of a controversy in which he was accused of spying on a tenant. The police had raided the premises and seized a camera and other equipment. Ramsaroop had charged that it was all part of a campaign of victimization against him by the government.
In his statement yesterday, he said:
“I have had a chance to review the PPP/C 2011 and Beyond Manifesto and find it refreshing that many of the key programs such as the Deep Water Harbour, completion of the Road to Brazil and certain tax reliefs are all in the plan under a Ramotar led Government. In addition, the Presidential Candidate has promised a review of the entire tax system including the VAT which I strongly believe must happen.
“I fully support these initiatives. In addition, as a leading member of the opposition ranks, I believe Guyana needs a period of political peace and working alongside each other to ensure that all Guyanese benefit.
My discussions with the Presidential Candidate and his team have given me the assurance that the strong desire and will is there for all of us to work together no matter ethnicity, religion or political affiliation for a better nation.
“My decision is based on the Future “Winning the Future for All Guyanese” Mr. Ramotar is a family man and understand what it takes to run a household like many of us and I strongly believe will be a President for all of Guyana. And I am confident the PPP/C is the best and only choice for all Guyanese.”
Meanwhile, the GPP last evening issued a statement saying that Ramsaroop’s membership of the group has been revoked.
The GPP said its Executive met on October 24, 2011 and unanimously made the decision to “expel and revoke the membership of Peter Ramsaroop from the GPP.”
It added “In light of the fact that the Guyana’s People Partnership is a member of the APNU coalition and that it is obvious that the former head of GPP Peter Ramsaroop is actively endorsing and supporting the ruling party; with this in mind the Executive has decided to revoke the membership of Mr. Peter Ramsaroop who for years fought against and spoke of the evils of the PPP/C (and) now has decided to join” it.
It said that the GPP stands united as a member of the APNU coalition.
