In a formal sign of his separation from the party, the opposition PPP today declared that the Central Committee seat which had been occupied by leading member and former minister Robert Persaud had been declared vacant.
Even before the end of the Ramotar administration in 2015, it had been reported that Persaud intended to withdraw from political life and possibly migrate. He had held senior portfolios in PPP/C governments including as Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources and had once been spoken of as a possible successor to former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
In a statement today, the PPP said that its Central Committee had unanimously declared vacant, the seats on the Central Committee occupied by Robert Persaud, Navin Chandarpal and Omar Sharief. Chandarpal passed away earlier this year and Sharief has retained a senior position at the Ministry of the Presidency under the APNU+AFC government.
The members filling these vacancies are: Bibi Safora Shadick, Majeed Hussain and Harrinarine Baldeo, the statement said.
The Central Committee, the statement said, reserved for consideration at a later date, the status of the seats of the Central Committee occupied by Hydar Ally, Chitrekha Das and Gurdat Shivpersaud. Ally a longtime senior member of the party has in recent letters to this newspaper taken a forthright stand on a number of matters.
Filling of two seats at the ExCo declared vacant long ago with the passing of Chandarpal and non-attendance by Persaud as well as a vacant seat on the Secretariat with the resignation of Hydar Ally will all be considered at a later date by the Central Committee, the statement said.
