GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC:
OPPOSITION POLITICAL parties in Guyana are calling for the removal of the cabinet of the ruling People's Progressive Party administration, following the resignation of embattled Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj.
The main parliamentary opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and the National Front Alliance (NFA) in separate statements yesterday said the Cabinet should follow Gajraj's lead and quit.
"Gajraj acted as the sacrificial lamb of the government, but he forgot to act to preserve democracy," NFA leader Keith Scott said.
According to Scott, it is no surprise that Gajraj demitted office but other Cabinet members should also leave.
ACTS OF IMPROPRIETY
"The issue, therefore, is no longer Gajraj but the entire PPP/C Government that refuses to investigate the deaths of its citizens and collectively endorse the return of a Minister to office after a Commission of Inquiry had identified several acts of impropriety," the PNC/R said yesterday.
Gajraj has been under intense scrutiny here ever since self-confessed informant George Bacchus alleged that he may have been involved in the activities of a so-called death squad.
Although he was finally cleared of any involvement by a Presidential Commission of Inquiry, opposition political parties and the international community expressed strong reservations about the minister's reinstatement to the sensitive security sector.
The U.S. and the Inter American Development Bank had hinted that financial support for some key programmes might be in jeopardy if Gajraj remained in his post.
A still-defiant Gajraj blamed the PNC/R and foreign critics for his leaving office.
"Since I resumed office there have developed some new dimensions which I think are designed and calculated to embarrass the Government and may inure to the prejudice and detriment of Guyanese and the development of Guyana," said Gajraj.
"Unfortunately, the position of the PNC/R appears to have been adopted by representatives of some countries and agencies who want to bring undue pressure to bear on the developmental programmes spawned by this government," Gajraj said in his televised statement.
Gajraj is due to leave office at the end of May, but the opposition does not believe this is a wise move, given security concerns.
"The delay until the end of May effectively creates a one-month period during which the ministry will be without any recognisable and accountable political leadership at a time when our security situation is still a matter of grave concern to Guyanese. Surely, this could not be the action of a responsible Government," the PNC/R said.
