The call for a meeting of the leaders of the People's Partnership by Prakash Ramadhar, Congress of the People (COP) political leader is a good one, according to political scientists.

However, Dr Winford James questioned whether the approach Ramadhar took to announce his initiative publicly signals that there are problems within the coalition Government.

On Sunday, Ramadhar told the media that he sent letters last Friday to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, political leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) Ashworth Jack, head of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) Errol McLeod, and National Joint Action Commitee (NJAC) leader Makandal Daaga.

In his letter, which he made public, Ramadhar said the time had come to assess the performance of the Partnership and the Government.

He noted that much of the population was frustrated and pointed out that "increasing racial tensions, the perception of unacceptable levels of corruption and a non-functioning Partnership structure are undermining the credibility of the Government".

Speaking with the Express yesterday, James said, "It is a good move. His part is one of the components of the Government and to assess where you have reached is always good.

"The question is why did it have to take the form of an open letter to public?...Why did it have to get to that point, where one of the partners wrote a letter and he has to let the people know that he wrote a letter?...There should be a mechanism in place for the leaders to meet...It should not be ad hoc and haphazard," said James.

He said this indicates that all may not be well in the Partnership as he questioned why are there not mechanisms in place so that leaders could meet regularly and show that there is a clear political plan of action to keep a strong sense of solidarity.

Political scientist Bishnu Ragoonath also agreed that this was a good move on Ramadhar's part. "I think it's a good move. It is always good to stop and reassess where you have reached and the way forward," said Ragoonath.

He said he does not see any negative fallout of any kind as a call for discussions was a positive move.

The Express tried to contact leaders of the Partnership yesterday.

Daaga was engaged in meetings for the day. Jack had not yet seen the letter as he was out of the country, and McLeod also said he had not seen the letter as he is in Massachusetts, USA.