After enabling the collapse of the APNU+AFC government last night, Parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud told media operatives that he will die with a clear conscience.
“If I die now because people may not be happy with what I have done I will die a happy person. I will have a clear conscience,” Persaud said after casting his vote in favour of a no-confidence motion brought against government by Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo.
Persaud, an attorney, who represents the AFC wing of the coalition, argued that representatives of the party of which he is a part have become “yes men” to the detriment of their integrity.
He claimed that he had not been paid anything other than travelling costs which are covered by the Parliament Office and has had no conversation with Jagdeo.
“I have not spoken to that man about anything he hardly says hello to me even in Parliament,” Persaud said in response to questions before declaring “I can’t be bought.”
As he wiped away tears, the parliamentarian said that he had been threatened.
“They have called me a traitor. A sellout. You should die… I heard that, well I will die it is not my ambition to live forever,” he argued explaining that as a Hindu he believed in Karma.
Persaud specifically identified Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence as having delivered threats to any parliamentarian who crosses the floor. Lawrence has denied the accusation.
Several other MP’s supported her statement with one directing that Persaud should be saying that “he was bought” and another adding “and for how much.” Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo added “we would not speculate here.”
Meanwhile, Persaud pointing to the group of government supporters who had congregated in front of Parliament Buildings stressed that he did not “know what’s going to happen outside there.”
“The PPP has told me to stay inside. Look I’m coming out with some friends here. What happens, happens. The Minister of Public Security [Khemraj Ramjattan] has offered me (a) police escort to get out of here. I don’t know that I need it or that I don’t need but I thank him,” Persaud further noted.
The Parliamentarian who has indicated that he will resign his seat and save the AFC the trouble of expelling him was keen to mention statements made by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson as one of the driving forces behind his vote.
“You take her statement… I am PNC my friends are PNC I will give wuk to PNC and then what did (AFC Leader Raphael) Trotman do as leader? I wrote to him and said we have to make a statement. What did Trotman do as leader of the AFC? He defended Volda Lawrence and then she apologized and Trotman looked as if he was just pissed on by Volda Lawrence and I am taking this as a member of the AFC because I have no say. What about AFC? For Volda it’s not about being Afro or Indian but about being PNC,” Persaud lamented.
He repeatedly intoned that while for three and a half years he has voted along party lines, last evening he cast a “conscience” vote. Jagdeo has repeatedly made reference to conscience votes on the part of Government members being the likely means by which the motion would have succeeded.
“This is the one time I have a say and I voted with my conscience The AFC team has disappointed me and I did not work so hard to put them in power so that they can live the good life and mess with the people,” Persaud said before referencing sugar workers and the sugar industry which he claimed government has devastated.
Asked if he had indicated to his party that he would be voting against the motion, Persaud said that he was directed in a meeting to vote ‘no’ but did not respond.
“I did not say anything there. When the vote came in the crowd like a mass vote I did not say no”, he explained.
Persaud however noted that his decision was made before the debates saying he could not sleep on Thursday night because he knew it would be a “tough thing”.
He has also said that he will be resigning from politics to possibly reside in Lethem rather than in Canada where members of his family are currently settled.
