UNC Councillor Anil Maharaj has resigned from his position as Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, after being charged with allegedly soliciting  a $15,000 bribe payment from a contractor.

Maharaj will, however, continue his service as Councillor for the Cumuto/Tamana area.

This even after PNM Councillors from the Corporation yesterday called on him to resign altogether, saying the allegations have badly affected burgesses.

“Councillor Maharaj intends to robustly defend these allegations and vindicate his name and reputation. However, in order to preserve the public confidence in the committee, which he has served dutifully, he considers this course of action to be most prudent,” a statement from the UNC read on Tuesday.

“Councillor Maharaj remains committed to his burgesses and the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation,” it added. 

Mr. Maharaj, who is out on $130,000 bail, is due to reappear in court on August 4th.