Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has called for an independent enquiry into the allegations contained in a controversial affidavit submitted by Jamaat-al-Muslimeen head Yasin Abu Bakr.

Panday said he was taken by surprise by High Court Judge Rajendra Narine’s request on Friday that Bakr’s affidavit, which alleges that a deal was made between the Jamaat and Prime Minister Patrick Manning to ensure PNM victory at the 2002 general election, be forwarded to the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Commissioner of Police (CoP).

He said, however, that there is public perception that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was being pressured by the Executive and therefore an independent enquiry should be appointed where the Opposition has an input in the appointees.

Commenting on Justice Narine’s decision, Panday said, ’I was surprised because I know that the confidence of people in the judiciary have fallen very low and this is a tremendous example that gives us courage that there are some people in the judiciary who are still independent’.

Panday added: ’It is quite clear why the Prime Minister wants to control the DPP and offices like that. It is clear from the pressures that the Government is putting upon the DPP and other offices that such an enquiry should be an independent enquiry’.

He added that since it is the Prime Minister against whom the allegations are directed, the persons who have been wronged-that is, the Opposition-should have an input in the setting up of such an enquiry.

-Anna Ramdass