GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Clement Rohee declared yesterday that the decision to go to Parliament is still being discussed at the executive committee even as the second sitting of the House is set for June 25.During a press conference held at the Freedom House party headquarters yesterday, Rohee noted that the PPP/C is approaching their attendance at Parliament at their own pace and are in the process of discussing who will make up their Parliamentary team.
He reiterated that, “We are approaching this thing at our own pace… these are our seats to which we were granted as a result of the votes we got in the elections. They will be taken up at the appropriate time when the party considers it necessary to do so.”
Responding to a question regarding the notion of an in-house fight on whether the party should go to Parliament, the General Secretary brushed this aside. He said that within the party there is democracy, and if a member has a different view that is also acceptable. Rohee, however, noted that the majority of members and supporters agree with them not taking their Opposition seats in the House.
Speaking specifically on a letter by party member Dr. Vindhya Persaud calling for the party to go to Parliament, Rohee said that while all members are open to express their views, “Mrs. Persaud’s view is not the majority view at this time.” At another meeting of party candidates the matter will be discussed further, he added.
Rohee said too that the party’s support base, when asked about representing them in Parliament, is also sustaining the party’s move not to attend Parliament.
He said, “The 49.3% of people who voted for us have told us their views. We have gone around the country talking to these people and they have some very strong views, so much so sometimes we have to try to contain them because at times we have extremist views being expressed. So we have to temper these feelings with some degree of soberness and sobriety.”

By Rebecca Ganesh