Ex-Parliamentarian Earnest Elliot
replaces Jaipaul Sharma
To the surprise of many, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition is set to name former Region Four official and ex Parliamentarian Earnest Elliot as the replacement for Jaipaul Sharma. Sharma tendered his resignation last week following what he described as a verbal attack on him in the Assembly by Education Minister Priya Manickchand.
Ex-Parliamentarian Earnest Elliot
Elliot will be returning to the National Assembly come Monday much to the dissatisfaction of some active members of the Party who believe that the coalition has missed yet another opportunity to expose a member from its younger generation to parliamentary and representative politics. Sharma’s resignation was accepted, paving the way for Elliot’s return. Kaieteur News understands that several influential members of APNU’s hierarchy had made a case for a seasoned politician like former PNC General Secretary Aubrey Norton to return to the House or for the nod to be given to younger activists like Shondel Hope or Ryan Belgrave. Sharma’s resignation came after “unsavoury” heckling by the Education Minister in Parliament, Priya Manickchand who indirectly attacked the APNU member’s father during his colleague, Volda Lawrence’s presentation on rape. An apology was demanded from the Minister who was also warned by House Speaker Raphael Trotman that it was likely that she would be banned from speaking during the Budget debate unless she apologised for the display which was described by many as “unprofessional and distasteful.” The senior Sharma faces an upcoming High Court trial for statutory rape The ban was however lifted on the very day that Sharma announced his resignation and on Friday Manickchand was allowed to make her presentation. She was silenced however, when APNU members banged their desks demanding Manickchand’s apology. The proceedings had to be prematurely suspended. Elliot told Kaieteur News yesterday that he is “enthusiastic about returning to serve the people.” Elliot sat in the Ninth Parliament alongside former legislators Tony Vieira, Norton and Dave Danny. All were excluded from the final list for the current Parliament. Norton’s exclusion had caused some amount of angst in both the PNC and APNU ranks. Elliot is the only one so far asked to serve again. Elliot said he is always willing to serve the people and has his eyes set on tackling major issues such as the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, Local Government Elections and reform as well as Public Works, especially the roads networks. The APNU member also mentioned his concern on the issue of corruption and overspending of State funds since he previously sat on the Public Accounts Committee, where he witnessed firsthand the arbitrary spending of public funds. Elliot said that he is “comfortable and happy for another appointment.”
