Brawl in Red House

An heated exchange between Government Minister Keith Rowley and Opposition MP Chandresh Sharma, over the issue of Grenadians being granted refugee status in Trinidad and Tobago, turned really ugly yesterday afternoon. Charges and counter-charges of racism were exchanged, there was some finger-pointing and obscene language, which eventually culminated in china being broken. Sharma, who after the fight attended a meeting of the Finance Committee, claimed he was hit, then  reported the matter to the police, who are conducting investigations. Newsday understands that as a result, Rowley, who has denied Sharma’s claim, may be facing two charges of assault. Sharma, in possession of a broken tea-cup and a remote control for a television set, and accompanied by Caroni East MP Ganga Singh and Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who are also attorneys, walked from the tea-room at the Parliament where the incident allegedly took place and lodged a formal report with Cpl Mohammed of the Central Police Station.

By 6 pm yesterday, Police Commissioner Trevor Paul told Newsday he had not been officially informed of the alleged incident and could not comment on the matter. Sharma said the alleged incident occurred while MPs were watching cricket before the start of the Finance Committee meeting which was closed to the public.  He said he complained to Rowley about inadequate housing in Southern areas like his Fyzabad constituency. Sharma said Rowley retorted that he (Sharma) was being racist and became annoyed. Sharma claimed, “He went to push me and hit me in my face, and he threw a teacup, which broke and threw the remote control too.” He said he was unable to avoid  the teacup, which landed on the floor and broke. According to Sharma, the enraged Rowley then took up the remote control for a television set and threw it at him. Sharma cited several witnesses to the alleged incidents. Rowley, Stanford Callendar, Roodal Moonilal, Kelvin Ramnath and Sharma were sitting in the lounge room. Yesterday Moonilal confirmed the duo had an altercation. “I escorted Dr Rowley out of the room. They were having a very heated discussion.” When Newsday pressed him as to whether he had seen the two men exchange blows physically, Moonilal only said, “They had an altercation.

There was a confrontation.”  Asked if Rowley hit Sharma, Moonilial said: “His arms were making movements. Both men were animated.” Reports from other witnesses however, are that it was Sharma who reportedly started the entire fracas by talking about discrimination. He reportedly accused the PNM of wanting to bring Grenadians into Trinidad and Tobago. Rowley, according to other eye-witnesses, said: “Why it is in this moment of tragedy you have to reduce everything to race?” Sharma replied that it was the PNM which brought race into everything. He added that  Rowley was conspiring with the PNM to bring in Grenadians because he is a racist. Rowley reportedly asked: “You calling me a racist?” Sharma responded: “Yes, I calling you a racist.” By this time, both men were agitated and according to one witness, the language was both incendiary and colourful. Rowley moved menacingly toward Sharma.  That’s when Moonilal intervened. He put his hand on Rowley’s arm, saying, “Keith cool it.” Rowley sat back down. But Sharma, who was reported to be livid at that point, taunted, “Come nuh! Come nuh.

I go buss yuh head.” Rowley reportedly countered: “Since yuh going to buss meh head, take this. Yuh going to hit meh, hit meh with this.” He threw the teacup and the television remote towards Sharma. The teacup broke after Sharma failed to catch it. Moonilal at this stage intervened, leading Rowley away. Rowley, responding to reports that Sharma had made an assault complaint stated: “If he is accusing me of assaulting him, he is lying. If I cuff down Sharma everybody would know. He called me a racist which triggered an altercation but I did not assault him.” Officers from the Central Police Station confirmed late yesterday that Diego Martin West MP Keith Rowley could face two charges — assault by beating and throwing. They added there may be another offence of criminal damage to Government property — the teacup.  

He could face sentences of a fine and/or imprisonment. Couva South MP Kelvin Ramnath, who witnessed the alleged incident, was interviewed by the police and gave a statement supporting the report made by Sharma. Senior police officers said last night that an investigation was being vigorously pursued and Rowley is expected to be interviewed today on the matter. Late yesterday, Sharma was treated by a doctor and the medical report will be submitted to the police investigator. Newsday learnt that Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Caroni East MP Ganga Singh are representing Sharma in the matter. Sharma was reportedly in hospital last night.