Jaipaul Sharma joins PNC, says will not accept new ministerial post if Coalition wins elections

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Jaipaul Sharma has resigned from his party, the Justice for All Party (JFAP), to join the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) but says he will not accept any ministerial post if the Coalition wins the March 02 elections.

“I would not take any cabinet minister position if offered to me after March 2, 2020 or minister within ministry position. However, I will continue to represent my Guyanese brothers and sisters of Indian ancestry to support the APNU+AFC at the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections for the good life of all Guyanese.”

Sharma’s name was submitted as one of candidates of the Coalition on Nominations Day Friday last.

Sharma called his move to the PNC, the largest party in APNU+AFC Coalition, a result of “divine intervention.”

He said he had a dream in which he heard a voice saying: “Jai, Jaii, Jaiii…Follow your father…David [President David Granger].”

Sharma said he initially wanted to take a break from politics, but his dream led him to join forces with the PNC.

He explained that the General Secretary of JFAP was not happy with his decision to resign and clarified that he did not do it because the General Secretary (GS) opted to be Minister after the elections. The GS is Savitri Sharma, the wife of CN Sharma, the leader of the JFAP. Mrs Sharma’s name is also on the Candidate List of the Coalition.

“I said to the GS of JFAP that I have made my decision and it had nothing to do with her or my father’s (CN Sharma) decision to make her the next Minister of Government,” Sharma said.