Granger touts government of national unity

Brig David Granger, the Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform and of the Parliamentary Opposition, spent the 48th anniversary of Guyana’s independence, and the 50th anniversary of the 1964 campaign of racial violence, in New York and New Jersey meeting with Guyanese especially traditional PPP supporters.

Brig. Granger was greeted by PPP protestors in one venue at Queens, New York

He started with a dinner meeting at the Santoor Indian Restaurant in Queens on May 23, last. The following day, he had a television interview with Ms Tanuja Raghoo, a walk about on Liberty Avenue, lunch at Sonny’s Roti Shop, a town hall meeting at Richi Rich Palace, and dinner meeting at Mike and Indranie Persaud’s home.
On Sunday, Brig Granger had a lunch meeting at the home of Sandra and Fred Shivdat in New Jersey, and dinner and reception in Brooklyn in the evening.
At the meetings, Brig Granger fielded questions about the Wismar arson and rape which led to the evacuation of 3,000 Indo Guyanese from the area, elections rigging by the PNC, the Walter Rodney assassination, the 1980 Burnham constitution, and under the PPP Guyana’s descent to narco statehood, lawlessness, criminality, corruption, and dictatorship.
In one venue at Queens, Brig Granger was greeted by PPP protestors. He walked the picket line, shook hands with some, and engaged them in short discussions. The picketers were respectful and cordial.
At the meeting at Mike and Indranie Persaud’s home, some people argued for a political apology from the PNC for its excesses when it was in power, some argued against it, and a few argued that the PPP owed Guyanese an apology more than the PNC.
Mike Persaud, who over the years had consistently called on the PPP and the PNC to transform into multi racial parties, explained his thesis to Brig Granger who surprised many with his vast knowledge of the political and military history of post independence countries in Africa and Asia. Two PPP stalwarts later expressed respect and admiration for the Opposition Leader.
Brig Granger explained that he believed in inclusionary democracy in which all parties and groups are involved in the decision making process and governance so as to avoid antagonism and conflict. He believed in partnerships and that was why he had entered into alliances with the WPA, GAP, JFAP and others to create APNU. He, in 2013, had encouraged the start of the Pro Guyana Movement in which all groups can become involved in solving Guyana’s divisions.
He said that no one is required to change his political party, his social organization, or his ethnic identity. Guyanese can remain supporters of the PNC, PPP, WPA, AFC, GAP, ADCA, or ROAR, one can be an African, Indian, Amerindian rights activist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and still be part of the Pro Guyana Movement.
“We need to sit at the table and voice our concerns, to engage in dialogue, and forge consensus,” he said.
Brig Granger acknowledged the great harm that was done to Guyana and Guyanese during the early 1960s and vowed that he would never let Guyana slide into racial violence again.
In recognition of the deep desire of all Guyanese to live in peace and harmony, and to make all our pains worthwhile, Granger said that by the time Guyana marks its 50th independence anniversary, “we should have a unity government.”
Brig Granger said that if he were to be elected President in 2016 he would form a Government of National Unity and that he would invite the PPP to join.