PPP claims members placed under constant surveillance

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Monday condemned the political interference by the ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government as the Guyana Police Force investigates the allegations of bribery against former AFC parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud, who voted in favour of the PPP’s motion of no confidence against the Government.
The Party on Monday said that it welcomed an investigation if there was basis for one, providing that it was professionally conducted and was not driven by politics. It added that it had nothing to hide should such an investigation be conducted.
“However, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, said in an interview aired on NCN recently that the Prime Minister and every member of Cabinet is involved in the investigation. There is no doubt, therefore, that the investigations allegedly being carried out are heavily contaminated with and influenced by politicians and political influences,” the statement related.
Additionally, the PPP said it was cognisant of the fact that the taxpayers-funded Department of Public Information (DPI), along with other news agencies close to the APNU/AFC Government, continued to spread misleading and fabricated evidence of the bribery allegations.
Under surveillance
Meanwhile, the Party also said that its leadership and parliamentarians were under surveillance both at their homes and as they go about their business. It called on the diplomatic and international community to remain vigilant and to continue to monitor what is transpiring in Guyana at this crucial time.
“This surveillance is being conducted by persons who are not uniformed and, therefore, we are not even sure whether they are being done by members of the law enforcement agencies of the State. Special Branch ranks now have a permanent station outside of the Party’s Freedom House, Robb Street headquarters. In the circumstances, we call upon the law enforcement agencies and the Joint Services not to succumb to political dictates and directions, but to discharge their functions faithfully, professionally and with due regard to their oath of office. At the same time, we continue to call upon on the diplomatic and international community to remain vigilant and to continue to monitor what is transpiring in Guyana at this crucial time,” the PPP stated.
On December 21, 2018, Persaud delivered the yes vote in the National Assembly that led to the fall of the coalition Government when the Bharrat Jagdeo-tabled motion of no confidence was successfully passed. Ever since, Government supporters, along with the Government, have been manufacturing conspiracy theories as to what led to one of their own supporting their political rival.
Leading the speculation is that Persaud colluded with the Opposition and received financial compensation for his vote. The Government has since said that it has solid evidence of this collusion, but, to date, has not produced any such evidence. Persaud, along with the Opposition, denied collusion. Persaud indicated that he made a conscience vote for the first time in the three years that he has been an MP.