Another businessman walks away from ANUG

By Fareeza Haniff

Popular businessman Beni Sankar has pulled out of the new political party – A New and United Guyana (ANUG) – two months after its launch.

ANUG is fronted by former PPP heavyweight, Ralph Ramkarran who confirmed to News Room that Mr Sankar indicated to the Party that he no longer wants to participate in political activities.

Still in its newborn phase, this is the second member to have resign from ANUG with the first being businessman Terrence Campbell, who withdrew even before the Party was officially launched.

Mr Sankar is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kayman Sankar Group of Companies.

At ANUG’s launch in January, the 70-year-old Sankar had said he was always apolitical but decided to “come off the fence” because he wants to “make the well-being of people better.”

“Enough is enough. I just want to try something. I am sure I can contribute,” he had said.

Mr Sankar informed ANUG of his decision a “few weeks ago” Mr Ramkarran told News Room in a telephone interview Thursday morning.

Mr Ramkarran, a former Speaker of the National Assembly, did not want to go into details as to why Mr Sankar chose to depart from ANUG.

“We did ask for a reason but that is between us and Mr Sankar,” he said.

When contacted on Wednesday, Mr Sankar told News Room he will make a statement today [Thursday], however, when contacted again on Thursday, the businessman declined to comment on his reason for leaving the party “at this time.”

“I don’t want to make a statement right now,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Ramkarran said he [Sankar] has not been attending meetings of ANUG.

“We accepted that he no longer wants to participate…we still share good relations,” Mr Ramkarran said.

Terrence Campbell left ANUG citing “polarization” in the political climate.

“The polarization is enough of a deterrent for any aspiring politician,” Campbell had said.

Other members of ANUG include: former PPP government Minister Dr Henry Jeffrey, Attorney-at-law Timothy Jonas, businessman Kian Jabourb and Akanni Blair, who was recently the PPP’s Vice Chairman in Linden.