Dear Editor,
Mr Brian Tiwarie said in a letter to the Stabroek News of July 1, that he stopped supporting the People’s Progressive Party one year before the 2015 election (‘Surendra containers held far less than claimed, Specialty Hospital project was mismanaged by Ramotar administration’).
Please see below a copy of a letter dated 23 March 2015 which Mr Tiwarie sent to me.
“March 23rd, 2015…
“Dear Mr. President,
“I am completely disheartened by your recent charges, made both publicly and privately, that I am a supporter of Brigadier David Granger and his opposition alliance. I am indeed further affected by your charges that I have sought to aid the opposition by sharing with them some documents in my possession.
“Mr. President, nothing could be further from the truth. Please note sir I have always been a long standing supporter of the PPP from long before 1992 I have used my resources to provide transportation and other logistical support for the PPP and its campaigns in the interior locations particularly in regions 1, 7 and 9. Mr. Ousman and Mr. Harripersaud Nokta are aware of my activities and Mr. Nokta, who is still alive and with us, can verify my claims.
“During the public service strike, our company provided much support without asking for a penny. For about 25 years my company has supported the PPP activities to mark the anniversary of our beloved leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan, by providing transportation and other support for all of the activities at Babu John.
“In my public statements and actions, especially since the PPP is in government, I have tried my best to avoid making political claims and statements because I am a businessman and I bid regularly for government contracts. I was determined to do all I can to protect myself and to protect the government from charges of bias and favoritism.
“Nevertheless, I have always been accused of being a beneficiary of the PPP favoritism in the award of contracts and on one occasion I was forced to make a public statement about where I stand. On that occasion I said in all newspapers that “I have never joined the PPP but I was born a PPP.” However, even after making that statement the accusations continue, and this very week I was forced to reply to more false charges of favoritism in the Kaieteur News.
“In our business at BK International we have tried our best to make the PPP government proud through our performance on public infrastructure contracts. We were the first local company to be awarded substantial infrastructure contracts by the World Bank, the IDB and the EU and we continue to bid on government contracts today based on our credentials, professional team and job performance.
“Mr. President, during the course of my business activities and social life in our country I have made many friends across all the divides and share many good relationships. However, these relationships do not mean political support of any kind. Anyone who reports that I am providing support to another political party because they may have seen me some place with others is being malicious and wicked.
“We must be careful at this time, Mr. President, to ensure that mischievous elements do not cause unnecessary divisions. As you have said yourself, this is an extremely important election where the PPP is seeking to restore its lost majority, no one should be allowed to distract us.
“I will continue to serve in any way I can in the circumstances before us. Please accept my best wishes to you and to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic in these elections.
“Yours sincerely,
“Brian Tiwarie AA
“Chairman
“BK Group of Companies”
Yours faithfully,
Donald Ramotar
Former President
