Khan resigns as PNM Chairman

The resignation, which comes on the eve of the party’s convention (which takes place today and tomorrow at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre), was made after discussions with Political Leader Patrick Manning.

Vice-Chairman John Donaldson will chair the convention proceedings and assumes the functions of chairman until the party elects a new one.

In his statement to the media yesterday, Khan said it was "after much thought and deliberation" that he informed party General Secretary Martin Joseph of his decision.

Khan is before the court on six charges of misconduct in public office arising out of allegations made by Dansam Dhansook.

"While I maintain my innocence and intend to defend myself vigorously, these matters can only serve as a distraction from the important work being undertaken by the party I had the honour to chair," he stated.

Khan said he remained gratified by the outpouring of support he received "both publicly and even more so privately" from the members of the party and constituency.

He stressed that he remained committed to the principles of the party’s constitution and to the PNM’s vision for a greater Trinidad and Tobago. My only regret," he noted, "is the fact that my commitment to contribute has been stymied by the allegations now in the public domain."

In concluding, Khan said he intends to focus all his energies and attention in three areas:

i) to rigorously defend my innocence before the courts;

ii) to re-focus on my business and professional career; and iii) to continue my dedicated service to the people of Ortoire/Mayaro who have been good to me, and to whom I made a commitment when I offered myself for public service."

The resignation means that with the exception of his position as Ortoire/Mayaro MP, Khan has relinquished all of his other public positions. He resigned as minister of works earlier this year when the allegations from Dansam Dhansook first broke.

Contacted for comment, UNC Chairman Basdeo Panday, who is in a similar position, said he had no comment to make on Khan’s resignation. "That’s the PNM’s business, and they are free to conduct their business as they see fit," Panday stated.

However, UNC MP, Gerald Yetming, commenting on Khan’s resignation, stated: "I think that that is the appropriate and decent thing to do." When pressed, he declined to say more.

Vice-Chairman John Donaldson yesterday said Khan’s resignation was an individual call. He said Khan’s actions showed that he was thinking of the party’s interest rather than his own. Donaldson added, "I consider Khan a personal friend and trust that he would be vindicated at the end of the day." He said Khan acted on principle and his actions were admirable.

Asked if Khan’s resignation has thrown a cloud over this weekend’s convention, Donaldson said the party has a constitution and it would go ahead with its business on the basis of its rules and regulations.

"I believe he (Khan) did the honourable thing by resigning as a Cabinet minister. I believe that he also did the honourable thing by resigning as chairman. So there can be no cloud, because there have been absolutely no resignations on the other side," he said.

Deliberately opting not to call names, Donaldson noted that a Political Leader was charged in the past and he fought an election and won, and has been charged again. He said people of this country held the PNM to a higher standard of morality than it did other parties because the PNM was the only serious political party (in the country).

Deputy Political Leader Ken Valley said Khan’s resignation was consistent with his behaviour. "I assumed all along that he was waiting to consult, to inform, the political leader who was away at the time that he was charged."