CHARACTER, policies and a track record ought to constitute the benchmarks against which political players are judged, heading into the upcoming May 11 General and Regional Elections.
People’s Progressive Party/ Civic member, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, expressed this view at a news conference held at Freedom House, where he responded to the litany of positive traits with which Moses Nagamootoo crowned himself.
FALSE CLAIMS 
The prime ministerial candidate of A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, at a rally held at Whim, Region 6 (East Berbice Corentyne) claimed, among other things, that he was nominated twice for national awards by the late former president, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
“I declined the nominations and I said to Dr. Jagan and to the leadership of the PPP that when my public life is over, then I shall think whether or not I deserve to be honoured by my nation,” he said.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Nagamootoo claimed that he refused salary increases, since public servants earned less.
“I was the first Minister who refused to accept increase in my salary unless, as I said to the Cabinet, the Government could pay more to nurses and teachers,” he said.
The APNU+AFC prime ministerial candidate also chatted about decisions he took which favoured the interest of the Guyanese people, when he chaired Cabinet.
Nagamootoo also touted the fact that he resigned as part of the governing party’s ranks, drawing references to national interests.

LIES EXPOSED
These were only some of the claims he made at Whim, according to Dr Ramsammy, who dismantled them all.
According to him, Nagamootoo did resign twice from the party, first in 1995 and then in 1997; however, Dr. Ramsammy made it clear that resignations were the result of an ultimatum given to him by the party’s leadership.
The PPP/C member explained that in 1995, Nagamootoo wanted to maintain his ministerial post and complete his degree at the University of Guyana, but he was asked by Dr Jagan to make a choice, since he could not do both full-time simultaneously.
“He resigned,” Dr. Ramsammy said.
Two years later, under the late former president, Mrs. Janet Jagan, he was given a similar ultimatum when he wanted, again, to hold the post of Minister of Local Government and attend the Hugh Wooding Law School.
“He resigned again,” the PPP/C member said.
On the question of chairing Cabinet, Dr. Ramsammy was adamant that there are no records this ever happened, as was the case with the acceptance of salary increases.
Nagamootoo was Minister of Information in 1992 to 1996 and in 1995 salaries were increased from $25,000 to $65,000, one dollar above what the permanent secretary was earning.
The PPP/C member noted that the Ministry of Finance records of the Parliamentary payroll can attest to the fact that be benefited from the increased salary.
As for the issue of nominations for national awards, he stated that he is unaware of this.
Dr. Ramsammy observed that in asking the Guyanese people for their votes, one’s character, policies and track records are open for scrutiny
“I did not raise these issues. He (Nagamootoo) did…he is asking the Guyanese people for their votes…I am asking questions,” he posited.

By Vanessa Narine