‘I have faith in TT’s democracy’ says India’s Speaker Chatterjee

Chatterjee had met Panday at his Charles Street office on Tuesday just minutes before police of the Anti Corruption Bureau arrested Panday, a former Prime Minister, on bribery charges.

Panday later protested his innocence by refusing to take bail and instead opting to go to jail at the Golden Grove Prison in Arouca.

Responding to questions from Newsday at a reception for the 17-strong delegation held Wednesday night at the Federation Park residence of Indian High Commissioner, Virendra Gupta, Chatterjee said the charges are internal matters. I would not like to comment except to say that we are believers in parliamentary democracy. We want that system to be strengthened everywhere." So, had the jailing of Panday undermined our parliamentary democracy? "Parliamentary democracy is in vogue here and there are sometimes tensions and there are sometimes Opposition/Ruling Parties in confrontation, but I’m sure they will resolve themselves, and my best wishes for them."

Should the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) try to mediate the situation? Chatterjee replied, "No. I don’t think the CPA has that role."

Addressing guests later, Chatterjee declared: "I have nothing but great admiration for the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the authorities who are running this country and the prosperity it has achieved so far. I told the honourable Prime Minister (Patrick Manning) that we can work together for the benefit of both countries, and for strengthening our ties."

Chatterjee said India was the largest working parliamentary democracy in the world.

"We are trying to provide to the people, through the democratic process, what they are entitled to.

"When they elect people as Members of Parliament, they impose upon us an obligation to see that their urges and aspirations are met.

"The whole endeavour of having a Parliament representing the people is to see that it functions in (such) a manner that it earns the respect and confidence of the people as a whole."

Referring to the many different political parties in his delegation, including Communist, BJP, Congress and Republican Parties, he said: "I am very happy to tell you that we are working together for the strengthening of parliamentary democracy in our country."

The delegation of Indian parliamentarians was due to leave Trinidad yesterday.