Leader of the Coalition for Reform Party and Kandrian-Gloucester MP Joseph Lelang has condemned a statement by Deputy leader of the People’s National Congress Party and Fisheries Minister Mao Zeming.
Zeming in a statement on Monday said it is regrettable that Lelang decided to return to his party.
He said the people of Kandrian-Gloucester have embraced the People’s National Congress party and its values when Peter Arul (1997-2002) and David Sui (2002-2007) were members of the party representing the electorate.
However, Lelang said Zeming’s statement was sarcastic and that he does not know what he is talking about.
Lelang said he was only leaving to lead his own political party into the 2017 National General Elections and should not be a loss to the Peoples National Congress Party led Government.
“I continued to remain leader of the Coalition for Reform Party since winning the 2012 election and I did not resign to join PNC as widely claimed.
“My move to lead Coalition for Reform Party from the Opposition to join the O’Neill – Dion Government was with the understanding that my party (CRP) and PNC were going to merge in May 2013.
“I must admit that this was not the case. I did not resign and Minister Zeming must not claim that I was a member of the PNC party although I have respect for him and other members of the ruling party.”