Ramnath thrown out of Parliament

House Speaker Barry Sinanan raised the ire of Opposition MPs when he attempted to lecture them on the abuse and misuse of the Standing Orders governing definite matters of urgent public importance. The Opposition became so angry and disruptive that Sinanan was forced to put out Opposition MP Kelvin Ramnath. “I was elected here for four terms. You not going to waste my time to lecture me. You are nothing but a puppet!” Ramnath said as he picked up his briefcase. Upon his eviction many of his colleagues also left. “You don’t have any constituents,” MP Roodal Moonilal declared to Sinanan, as he joined Ramnath.

“The country is flooded. What are we staying here to talk about?” Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar chimed in, as she too packed up. Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday was not there at the time, but came in later and stayed for the session, along with Gerald Yetming, Winston Dookeran, Ganga Singh and others. The house was debating a private motion filed by Hamza Rafeeq. Moonilal had earlier been denied by Sinanan the opportunity to discuss as a definite matter of urgent public importance, the flooding situation in the country. And in what seemed to the Opposition to add insult to injury, Sinanan rose to give a discourse to MPs on “the habit of bringing matters which they know or ought to know” will not qualify as definite matters of urgent public importance.

The minute Sinanan began, Opposition MPs were in uproar. “That is censorship!” charged Chief Whip, Ganga Singh. “Why are you pre-empting us!” Ramnath thundered. “We have a right to do what we do!” protested Nariva MP Harry Partap. As he read his prepared text, Sinanan’s voice could only be heard calling above the din for “Order! Order please!” after every sentence. Sinanan seemed to be veering into the area of politics when he said he suspected that MPs were using the Standing Order as a means of “obtaining maximum publicity.” And, he advised, it would have been more productive for them  to bring matters as  motions on the adjournment or as a substantive (private) motion for debate. “Nonsense!” Ramnath shouted. “Who are your constituents?” Roodal asked Sinanan, driving home the fact that he (Sinanan), who like the last three Speakers, is a non-elected member of the house.

Sinanan continued, giving unsolicited advice. “MPs could encourage the media to stay on (beyond 4.30 pm after the Parliament breaks for tea) to hear these motions,” he counselled. “We will talk to the press when we want to speak to them!” Ramnath rebuffed. “You can’t come in here and lecture us and tell us how we must conduct our business,” Ramnath added. “Member for Couva South,” Sinanan began. “Yes!” answered Ramnath. “I am giving you fair warning. If you continue in that mode I will have to ask you to leave the chamber.” “I am a freer man outside this chamber than inside this chamber,” Ramnath rejoined, undaunted. As the house moved on to debate the motion, Opposition MPs continued to fuss over the Speaker’s statement.