Former People and Social Development minister Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh was absent from Parliament yesterday during the first sitting since his dismissal on Tuesday. Technical adviser to the former minister Barrington “Skippy” Thomas said yesterday Ramadharsingh was resting. Ramadharsingh was relegated to the Government’s back bench in the House yesterday as he no longer held Cabinet portfolio.
When he returns to the chamber he will be seated next to another sacked minister Colin Partap and behind former prime minister Patrick Manning. Thomas said Ramadharsingh will be hitting the road in his Caroni Central constituency on Monday. Questioned by reporters as he made his way to the ministry on Independence Square yesterday, Thomas said he was returning to his office expecting to be asked to leave. An earlier call for protest against Ramadharsingh’s dismissal was called off, he said.
“That call was based on an emotional response,” he added. “After introspection we agree it is one party and one leader and we have asked the constituency not to go to the Parliament today. “He said the initial protest call was rescinded. Thomas said UNC supporters were encouraged to go to Parliament to show support for the Prime Minister, who had the right to determine who would sit in her cabinet.