In an invited comment yesterday, Trotman told Stabroek News: "I am concerned about the far-reaching, long-term effects that [Ramjattan's expulsion] is likely to have on the minds of young people in Guyana."

Trotman feels the tactic used by the PPP in dealing with the Ramjattan issue has cast politics in general in a bad light and will affect the views of political hopefuls and cause them to take a second look at the party's attitude.

"[The PPP's treatment of Ramjattan], who is a young political leader, will cause young people who have an interest in politics [particularly, at the career level] to feel their ideals and rights will be stifled," Trotman remarked.

He said the Ramjattan issue should rouse the interest of every young person in the country.

He said he could not ignore Ramjattan's fate, considering that they were both attorneys and politicians, albeit from different parties.

Ramjattan was expelled by the Executive Committee of the PPP for publicly insisting that President Bharrat Jagdeo accused him of leaking information to the US embassy and the media.

The PPP issued a press statement last week with the signatures of 29 Central Committee members which said they had all been present at the January 31 meeting and neither the president nor any other member had accused Ramjattan of leaking information to any foreign embassy or mission.

It is unclear if Moses Nagamootoo, another PPP MP, who had supported Ramjattan's claim about Jagdeo's accusation, will now face disciplinary action.