Two leading members of the Hindu Credit Union Depositors and Shareholders Group (HCUDSG) have resigned to form a new interest group.

They said they resigned because of a series of blockades against their attempts to serve members.

Former president of the HCUDSG Rick Maharaj and former public relations officer Deosaran Bisnath have now formed the Credit Union Members Group (CRMG) to support members of the failed Chaguanas credit union.

Bisnath told the Express yesterday he, Maharaj and former chairman Leslie Dookie were snubbed over the past week when several committee members met with HCU president Harry Harnarine without their knowledge.

"We felt that based on the amount of people who have called so far to express hope that we would help them, we could not in good faith continue in this situation.

"It would have been a betrayal of what the group stood for. We had hoped to form an independent group but have not been able to maintain that," Bisnath said.

Rick Maharaj said he felt he was being used as a "front" for Harnarine.

"I will not be used as a pawn to deceive the people. If I stayed, I would have betrayed them," Maharaj said in a telephone interview yesterday.

Maharaj added he would be willing to return to the group in any capacity as long as the membership held the decisive power.

"I am willing to come back, not as president but in any position, but the membership must direct it," said Maharaj.

A meeting held by the HCUDSG last Monday saw Harnarine prevented from speaking by angry depositors.

Maharaj and Bisnath have pledged their support to the membership, who can reach them at 738-5441 and 687-7529, respectively.

-with reporting by

Peter Christopher