BANNERS with the images of Fyzabad Member of Parliament Chandresh Sharma and President-elect Anthony Carmona were meant to be congratulatory to Carmona, and motivational to those in his constituency rather than be offensive.

So said Sharma yesterday as he responded to criticism for erecting the banners in his constituency, which have been since been taken down.

He said: "The banners were put up in various locations n Fyzabad. I am not aware if there was any breach. It was simply a message of congratulations. Some of the banners had the images of him (Carmona) alone and others had the photograph of the Member of Parliament, much smaller than the President-elect's picture, which is the protocol requirement".

Sharma said the banners may have "been the first of its kind. In all our Government offices, we have the picture of the president, and the Prime Minister, and the MP. We are not sure what might have been the offence, or the breach that was committed with the banners".

The Fyzabad MP said his office manager was in charge of placing the banner, which were done with his (Sharma's) authority. The Transport Minister said he was in Jamaica on Government business and returned on Saturday night.

The banners were taken down on Saturday. "We heard there were questions about it. We secured them until we get clearance of them. While it was not a breach it may be unusual," he said.

He said the banners with the image of Carmona alone remained. "We want the whole country to celebrate the coming of the new President", the MP said.

Sharma said a banner on the wall of his constituency office which had the images of him and Prime Minster Kamla Persad-Bissessar was placed there since last December.