Political sheltering

THE EDITOR: “Politics makes strange bedfellows” as the saying goes but can its shelter vindicate the accused?

We have seen an example of this with two most recent political bed-fellows in Jearlene John and Kamla Persad-Bissessar with today’s United National Congress (UNC) internal elections.

This quote, identifying the relationship between politics and strange bedfellows is adapted from a line in Shakespeare’s play titled, The Tempest. The line says that “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.”

Consequently, the word on the ground is that former CEO of the Housing Development (HDC) Jearlene John is being postulated as the new Jack Warner of the (UNC). While she maybe seeking political sheltering or may generally have high ambitions, Ms John is not close to the proverbial shoe size of Jack Warner at this moment.

The use of political parties as shelters of defence when accusations surrounding a person’s tenure in public life arises is no vindication in the eyes of the public. Politicians who have questions to answer are mounting a weak defence if they use frontline politics with an opposing party to cry “political victimisation”.

There is a pattern that has emerged in our local politics in this regard. For example, former UNC housing minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has said publicly that the recent cartel claim of $200 million filed by the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited (EMBD) is political victimisation. Former attorney general under the UNC administration Anand Ramlogan has also asked if his charges of misbehaviour in public office and witness tampering have anything to do with political victimisation.

Jearlean John, former HDC CEO and deputy political leader hopeful of the UNC, stands accused of being involved in the questionable land purchase of the HDC’s Eden Heights Development. She may soon be able to claim political victimisation as well once successful in the UNC’s internal election on Sunday.

Citizens are not as simple-minded or easily fooled as some would like to think. There are many citizens waiting to see politicians brought to justice for the unprecedented levels of corruption allegations, claims and charges.

Dr Rowley made the point recently that PNM or not the corrupt will find no solace in his government.

So sheltering under an opposing political party and crying political victimisation buys no sympathy from a population which continues to suffer from the negative effects of corruption.

RONALD HUGGINS, St Joseph