PNM: Kamla must condemn Devant

People’s National Movement’s (PNM) Womern’s League chairperson Camille Robinson-Regis today said the Opposition Leader must condemn Devant Maharaj’s “guerilla gambit” of releasing the Prime Minister’s personal contact information on social media. But she opined that this may not happen if the “opposition’s thin veneer of decorum was shattered on her instructions.”

Robinson-Regis said if this is the case, Kamla Persad-Bissessar must “take responsibility for the reckless actions of her former cabinet member.”

She also said the League expects “nothing short of an immediate apology and public interdiction of Mr Maharaj.” Maharaj has refused to apologise for his actions. In a statement, Robinson-Regis said Persad-Bissessar must “put aside her usual indifference and reach out to Devant Maharaj.”

Robinson-Regis, who is also Planning Minister and PNM lady vice-chairman, said, “ As one of her ardent foot soldiers we urge her to extend herself and give him the attention he desperately seeks.”

She said Maharaj’s recent irrational behaviour is especially disturbing as it goes beyond his normal obsession with stirring racial strife. Robinson-Regis said the League is concerned that “this particular call for chaos as well as his usual penchant for stoking violence along with his history of inciting lawlessness seem to be cries for professional help.” Robinson-Regis said as Maharaj’s leader, it is Persad-Bissessar’s “ moral duty to help him.” Saying that Dr Rowley is “a servant of the people,” Robinson-Regis said the PM has made himself more available to the people than Persad-Bissessar did.

She said Rowley’s extensive outreach through “Conversations with the Prime Minister”, his numerous community meetings, as well as regular forays into traditional as well as social media, are evidence of his “sterling record of being readily accountable to the people.” Robinson-Regis added, “Citizens of this country are free to talk with our leader at any time.”

Saying Maharaj as a failed politician who will grasp at anything to remain relevant and his social media audience is “rapidly shrinking,” Robinson-Regis said rational citizens will not “buy the filth he is pedalling.” She said his latest actions cross an ethical line. “ Not content to just destroy the Prime Minister’s privacy he also breached national security by his asinine attention-mongering.”