Indian community disappointed with Carter
Auckland: Te Atatu Labour MP Chris Carter’s action of distributing anonymous letters with remarks about leader Phil Goff to press gallery journalists in Parliament has not gone down well with Indian community leaders.
Former New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) general secretary Veer Khar said that the action was disappointing. There were better ways of protesting than handing out anonymous letters and then getting discovered immediately he said.
He said it was a sad development because Mr Carter was a well respected leader who had served the party for a long time and had strong links with the Indian community. “But everyone makes mistakes. Mr Carter must acknowledge that this was an error of judgment and move on. He has much to contribute,” he said.
Asked to comment on Mr Carter’s strong contention that Mr Goff was incapable of leading the Labour Party to an election win in 2011, Mr Khar said that was a matter for the party to consider and discuss internally. He added that there were a number of capable people to lead the party should the need arise. He mentioned David Cunliffe as being one of them.
Daljit Singh, Chairperson Supreme Sikh Council of New Zealand said, “Chris Carter has made a serious error of judgment in his ill advised criticism of Phil Goff's leadership of the Labour Party. I do not understand his motives but certainly don't agree with him. In my experience Phil Goff is a very good listener, a very hard worker and a close friend of the Indian and ethnic communities. I strongly support his direction and leadership.”
Party worker Neelam Choudary said the manner in which Mr Carter handled the situation was uncalled for and gave a bad look to the party. Every point of view could be discussed freely and frankly within the caucus and there was no need for doing it publicly, she said. Ms Choudary said Mr Carter appeared to be acting on his own and that she did not know of anyone else who shared his sentiment about Mr Goff.
She however would not be drawn into commenting as to who would be the possible leaders that the party might decide on to lead it in the next election. “There are a number of able and intelligent people but it is for the caucus to decide,” she said.
NZICA general secretary and former Labour supported candidate Raj Thandi did not agree with the way Mr Carter went about lodging his protest against Mr Goff’s leadership. “That was certainly not the right thing to do, he said.” He was also of the opinion that these matters must be discussed within the party and not publicly.
Bharatiya Samaj leader Jeet Sachdev shared the disappointment. Saying he had known Mr Carter for a long time he said what happened was surprising and should have happened the way it did. He declined to comment on Mr Carter’s contention that the party was in need of a replacement saying that Mr Goff was the best person to lead the party in the circumstances.
Auckland: Te Atatu Labour MP Chris Carter’s action of distributing anonymous letters with remarks about leader Phil Goff to press gallery journalists in Parliament has not gone down well with Indian community leaders.
Former New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) general secretary Veer...
Auckland: Te Atatu Labour MP Chris Carter’s action of distributing anonymous letters with remarks about leader Phil Goff to press gallery journalists in Parliament has not gone down well with Indian community leaders.
Former New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) general secretary Veer Khar said that the action was disappointing. There were better ways of protesting than handing out anonymous letters and then getting discovered immediately he said.
He said it was a sad development because Mr Carter was a well respected leader who had served the party for a long time and had strong links with the Indian community. “But everyone makes mistakes. Mr Carter must acknowledge that this was an error of judgment and move on. He has much to contribute,” he said.
Asked to comment on Mr Carter’s strong contention that Mr Goff was incapable of leading the Labour Party to an election win in 2011, Mr Khar said that was a matter for the party to consider and discuss internally. He added that there were a number of capable people to lead the party should the need arise. He mentioned David Cunliffe as being one of them.
Daljit Singh, Chairperson Supreme Sikh Council of New Zealand said, “Chris Carter has made a serious error of judgment in his ill advised criticism of Phil Goff's leadership of the Labour Party. I do not understand his motives but certainly don't agree with him. In my experience Phil Goff is a very good listener, a very hard worker and a close friend of the Indian and ethnic communities. I strongly support his direction and leadership.”
Party worker Neelam Choudary said the manner in which Mr Carter handled the situation was uncalled for and gave a bad look to the party. Every point of view could be discussed freely and frankly within the caucus and there was no need for doing it publicly, she said. Ms Choudary said Mr Carter appeared to be acting on his own and that she did not know of anyone else who shared his sentiment about Mr Goff.
She however would not be drawn into commenting as to who would be the possible leaders that the party might decide on to lead it in the next election. “There are a number of able and intelligent people but it is for the caucus to decide,” she said.
NZICA general secretary and former Labour supported candidate Raj Thandi did not agree with the way Mr Carter went about lodging his protest against Mr Goff’s leadership. “That was certainly not the right thing to do, he said.” He was also of the opinion that these matters must be discussed within the party and not publicly.
Bharatiya Samaj leader Jeet Sachdev shared the disappointment. Saying he had known Mr Carter for a long time he said what happened was surprising and should have happened the way it did. He declined to comment on Mr Carter’s contention that the party was in need of a replacement saying that Mr Goff was the best person to lead the party in the circumstances.
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