Political Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) Winston Dookeran has said he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Patrick Manning four months ago, calling on him to refute allegations contained in an affidavit of Jamaat-al-Muslimeen head Yasin Abu Bakr.

’About four months ago, I had written to the Prime Minister, outlining all the allegations imputed against him. He replied, saying the matter was referred to the Attorney General,’ Dookeran told the Sunday Express yesterday.

Dookeran’s was asked to comment on High Court Judge Rajendra Narine’s directive to the registrar of the Supreme Court to forward a copy of Bakr’s affidavit to the offices of the Commissioner of Police (CoP) and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Bakr’s affidavit alleges that a deal was struck between the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen and Manning with respect to the 2002 general election, where favours would be granted to the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen in exchange for its help to secure votes for the election.

Said Dookeran: ’We feel very much vindicated. I am very much encouraged that the matter has come back into the public focus.’

Referring to his letter and Manning’s reply, Dookeran added:

’We have not heard anything since. I think this is untenable in a democracy. We didn’t say he was guilty or not guilty, but serious allegations have been made that strike at the heart of democracy in this country. If he (Manning) does not speak out on this, then it will create further doubts in the minds of the people.

’We support the need for a probe. We look forward to it and hope that this matter would not be swept under the carpet.’

Alleged services offered by the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen

The following are services which the affidavit says were offered to the PNM by the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen:

- That the Jamaat would work within the crime-ridden area to bring about a reduction in crime;

- That the Jamaat would work within the poor areas in the marginal constituencies to mobilise the voting persons to vote. These areas were referred to as ’ghetto areas’;

- That in particular areas, the Jamaat and its members would be responsible for developing strategies to ensure a high or higher-than-usual turnout of voters in the marginal constituencies;

- That the Jamaat would publicly come out in favour of the ruling party in Government and endorse the PNM party for re-election;

- That the Jamaat and its members would work actively in campaigning for the PNM party in the marginal seats.

- The Jamaat would ’go to the people’ and ensure that they voted and voted for the PNM party.

- That the Jamaat would be responsible for ensuring the orderly implementation of social programmes in the targeted marginal constituencies.