– Norton on record asking Seeram to step down in 2023
From all indications, the Peopleโs Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has no qualms accepting all and sundry into the fray, especially in the leadup to General and Regional Elections. Over the last week, Daniel Seeram and Richard Van West-Charles pledged their support for PPP-governance, endorsing the incumbent President, Dr Irfaan Ali for his second term. Both politicians were prominent rank and file members of the Peopleโs National Congress Reform (PNCR).
Seeram is a sitting Regional Chairman appointed by the PNCR.ย Two years back, that partyโs leader, Aubrey Norton called for Seeram to do the โdecent thingโ and resign. Norton was the one who nominated Seeram for the role as Chairman but said PNCR has a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence.
In 2023, Norton was quoted in the Kaieteur News saying, โThe Opposition does not condone violence of any kind, worse so domestic violenceโฆas it relates to the resignation, I think Daniel Seeram understands the nature of what has happened. It is true that it is not the first time and I will leave it to him to do the decent thing.โ ย That being said, Norton acknowledged that his hands were tied in removing Seeram.
He said, โWhen somebody becomes a Regional Chairman or a Councillor, there is no mechanism that exists to remove that person.โ Norton stressed that were it up to him, Seeram would have been long gone.
Jagdeo has a different perspective. He believes that having representation from a wife beater does not speak to his partyโs values. At his most recent presser, Jagdeo said, โWe donโt endorse violence against anyone, we fight against it strongly.โ
He cited his partyโs track record, noting that robust legislation has been set up and implemented to fight against violence against women and children. He said that the PPP government has also quadrupled funding to many non-governmental organizations that handle such cases.
Notwithstanding such, Jagdeo said, โpeople are still free to have a political view. It (his alleged wife beating) didnโt matter when he was PNC.โ
Even before Seeram faced the court to answer for domestic violence charges, he was charged for allegedly threatening his father-in-law with a gun. He was released on $20,000 bail.
Reports indicate that in early March 2022, Seeram went to MovieTowne to speak to his wife when he instead met his father-in-law and the two got engaged in an altercation, causing Seeram to allegedly brandish his weapon to threaten the man.
