Last Updated on May 28, 2022, 8:39 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Antigua: Controversy over the Indian fugitive, Mehul Choksi, is taking an unexpected turn as leaders of opposition in Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica are taking support of a criminal for political mileage.
Many expressed embarrassment of opposition leaders Harold Lovell and Lennox Linton’s actions as they are speaking highly of a fugitive who robbed people of money in India. The LOPs of these two respective countries are trying to provide a safe haven to a person who deliberately defrauded a bank and carried out a $2 billion scam.
United Progressive Party (UPP) leader Harold Lovell’s statements favouring Mehul Choksi clearly show that both have some sort of connection; otherwise, why would a political leader speak about the most-wanted fugitive who Interpol has issued a yellow notice.
SKN News exclusive story revealed that both, Harold Lovell and Mehul Choksi had a meeting in an Italian restaurant in March 2022 and Lovell promised to raise his issue (Mehul Choksi’s) in exchange for election funding. Later, it was also revealed that Lovell also agreed to ensure complete security by granting diplomatic status to Mehul Choksi if elected to the government.
Similarly, the Leader of Opposition in Dominica, Lennox Linton also had a comprehensive meeting with Mehul Choksi’s brother Chetan Choksi at his personal residence in Marigot. Renowned Caribbean news provider exposed the deal between both where Lennox Linton took US $200,000 token money from Chetan Choksi in a bid to support him during the time he was in Dominica custody. Chetan arrived in Dominica on a private jet on May 29, 2021, to defend Mehul Choksi against extradition to India, where Mehul is wanted for a $2 billion economic fraud. Despite knowing that Mehul Choksi stole money from Indian taxpayers, Lennox Linton continued to support the international fugitive. However, later after facing public outrage, Lennox Linton stepped down, yet they both continued to be in touch.
As the elections are approaching soon, both leaders have come on top to speak in favour of Mehul Choksi. Both leaders are directly alleging the government of India of hatching the conspiracy. Still, ironically, they never said a word when India delivered thousands of vaccines to the Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, at the period of time when there was a major scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines in the world.
The opposition leaders, Lovell and Linton are not new to corruption controversies. Lennox Linton’s illegal campaign finance was exposed by Al Jazeera’s documentary, which used a signed letter promising diplomatic passports and ambassador appointments in exchange for USD $400,000 ahead of the country’s general election on December 6, 2019. This time again, Lovell and Linton have under table agreement with Mehul Choksi – who will be their direct election funding partner in the upcoming general elections.
Despite Al Jazeera’s documentary about collaborators and spies under the bus, eager to accept money in exchange for diplomatic passports and appointments within 28 days of taking power, the hypocrisy is crass, double-sided, and dangerous.
According to natives of Antigua and Barbuda, Mehul Choksi only brought embarrassment to Antigua and Barbuda “and Harold Lovell is standing with him, which raises concerns about their intentions. I am sceptical if they are doing it intentionally for election funding then it is the most dangerous thing for our island.”
He asserted that Mehul Choksi is a clever person, if he can swindle the US $2 billion from India then Antigua and Barbuda is a small fish for him. “It is funny that the opposition leader is asking for an inquiry into this matter because it provides him political mileage in the upcoming elections, why he did not speak about Mehul Choksi not being extradited to India, to the people he owes over 2 billion.”
“They both have promised diplomatic passports to persons who will provide financial assistance to them for elections. I’m afraid that’s not right and no government should do this. If Mr. Lovell and Linton think they can win people’s hearts by taking cash rewards from criminals, they are wrong. They must stand for the right and understand what is wrong,” another Antigua resident asserted.
A woman from St Paul’s said that they both have raped their own motherland by taking money from people who are destroying their flourishing country. “Lovell and Linton are shameless and I believe they can do anything to earn money. They want Antigua and Barbuda government to spend money to prove that Choksi is honest. Our country will not waste taxpayers’ monies for someone who already defrauded billions of public money.”
The local demanded leaders of the opposition to disclose their financial accounts, including political party and personal accounts to testify that they have to take funds from Mehul Choksi or his companies.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
