We became accustomed to the PPP/C government not caring much about the distinction that should exist between politicians and public – particularly top public – servants. Thus, former ministers were given public service contracts, spoke on political platforms and organised political activities for the ruling party, and now being required to relinquish their positions by the new regime, are crying discrimination. Public servants have been allowed to become involved in clearly partisan political picketing and still believe that they are right to claim discrimination when asked to vacate office by the new government.
At another level, we have had the examples of senior public servants, e.g. the head of the presidential secretariat (resigning or not), taking to political hustings and then reappearing in the same position after successful elections. President Desmond Hoyte and his People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), joined by many in civil society, made a huge issue over this matter.
In this context, it may be useful to observe that in an attempt to circumvent criticism,
