Dr Luncheon at Tucville rally… APNU+AFC ‘no real alternative’ to PPP – just a stark reminder of PNC of old

Vanessa Narine, March 21, 2015, Source

THE alternative that the Combined Opposition of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) offers is “no real alternative,” and is a stark reminder of the People’s National Congress (PNC).Those were the sentiments expressed by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) stalwart, Dr Roger Luncheon, who kicked the support of his motorized chair and took the podium to deliver a few ‘kicks’ elsewhere.

PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, stressing the differences between PPP and APNU+AFC at last evening’s meeting

“The race (May 11 elections contest) is between the PNC and the PPP,” he said.

The ruling administration’s Cabinet Secretary was one of three speakers at that party’s most recent public meeting, held last night at Turning Point in Tucville, Georgetown. That meeting drew a sizeable gathering, to whom Dr Luncheon stressed that there is “no real difference” between the APNU+AFC alliance and the PNC, even as he pointed to that alliance’s policies – “or lack of policies”; the members who constitute the grouping; and the manner in which the alliance “treats” the Guyanese people, given the anti-development postures of its constituent parts in the last three years.

“They offer no real alternative at the upcoming polls!” Dr Luncheon warned.

The May 11 general and regional elections were called after three years of political gridlock and after attempts to move past this deterrent had failed, Dr Luncheon explained. He noted that development is a continuous effort that the PPP/C remains committed to, and he pointed out that the development story of Guyana is one that cannot be told without mention of the ruling PPP/C.

“Our (Guyana’s and the PPP/C’s) stories are the same,” Dr Luncheon said.

On that note, he underscored that progress, peace and prosperity demand leadership, which the PPP/C has demonstrated in successive administrations since 1992.

“The PPP/C has led by example,” Dr Luncheon said, and added that, in leading, the Party has attracted supporters and followers, many of whom have come on board to support the PPP/C and serve the Guyanese people.

“We have attracted men and women of calibre and commitment,” he said.

These efforts, Dr Luncheon added, have resulted in record achievements that have gone towards supporting improvement in the lives of the Guyanese people.

“We must now look to the future,” he said.

Going forward, Dr Luncheon assured that the PPP/C will, as it has done, remain true to the ideals of its founder and former president, Dr Cheddi Jagan.

“It is a philosophy that is rooted in the fact that Guyana is a developing country,” he posited.

REBUILDING A BROKEN HOUSE
General Secretary of the PPP, Mr Clement Rohee, also energized the gathering with a message of his own, made lively by quips that were digs at the political opposition.

A section of the sizeable gathering at Turning Point, Tucville, last evening

He emphatically noted that the development of Guyana and its progress to date must be seen as the rebuilding of a house that had been “broken” by the PNC.

Rohee warned of the dangers that characterise the PNC’s leadership, which includes members that aim to deceive the Guyanese people.

The “makeover” that is APNU+AFC is a deceptive ploy, he said, and it is advanced by “great pretenders” who are most focused on a grab at power, as opposed to the people of Guyana.

“They politically scraven! They lickrish!” Rohee quipped.

The PPP/C General Secretary explained that the membership of the alliance comprises disenchanted persons who have left the PPP because of their want of power.

“They say this is the mother of all elections, but don’t forget the mother of all political parties is the PPP,” he said. “The PNC come out from the PPP belly.”

Rohee made it clear that the PPP/C is battle ready, and battle scarred, and still represents a force to be reckoned with in the political arena.

Rohee made it clear that, all considered, the years prior to 1992 must not be forgotten if Guyana is to continue on the path forward.

“(This will happen) on May 11 when the PPP is re-elected into office,” he said.

Additionally, other speakers, including Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster, underscored the impact of the PPP/C’s social programmes in particular, which have ‘delivered’ for the Guyanese people.

The message by the end of the evening was clear: The choice of the Guyanese people is clear – a vision for greater peace, progress and prosperity, as well as a proven track record that characterises the PPP/C, or the PNC and the leadership of the same people who supported the ‘Burnhamite’ era.

In addition to Tucville, the ruling party held meetings in other parts of Region 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica), villages in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Region 5 (Mahaica/Bebrice) and Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne). Those meetings have been the tactic employed by the incumbent PPP for decades as a means of maintaining and nurturing support at the grassroots level.  --- (Vanessa Narine)