Dear Editor,

The bitter and angry outcries that rang out at the PNC Congress over the weekend have once again driven the final nail into the PNCR chances of defeating the PPP and forming the next government. The PNCR under the leadership of Brigadier (rtd) David Granger has blown it. Charges of rigging elections at the party Congresses are not new. It happened in the last few Congresses but it appears the PNCR has not learnt anything. The statement that there was no manipulation of the delegates list is a denial of the facts.

Is Mr Granger aware that political organizations are not like military establishments where commands are given and must be obeyed? He has lost a golden opportunity to allow democracy to flourish throughout the PNC machinery and thus bolster his image. This was his last chance to preside over an unblemished Congress and he has failed miserably. It is not only that the PNCR needs new leadership, but it needs dynamic youthful leaders with the ability to take the fight to the PPP.

What is wrong with the PNCR leaders? Where is the unity in the party? Why are the leaders of the PNCR trying to get rid of the young, vivacious and spirited Vanessa Kissoon and others? How can Mr Granger preach national unity to the country when his own party is deeply divided and his leadership skills have become questionable? It is time for the leaders of the PNCR to face reality and acknowledge that the PNCR is a party dominated by senior citizens who are not in touch with the people.

Mr Aubrey Norton’s bid for the leadership of the PNCR was forcefully rejected by the party hierarchy. The PNC, with a history of elections that were never considered free and fair by the majority of the people save and except for the 1964 and 1992 elections, should have been extremely sensitive to a stain on this aspect of the party’s image.

Further, the PNC Congresses since the death of Desmond Hoyte have always had a major question mark over their transparency in the compilation of the delegates’ list. None other than Vincent Alexander, the late Winston Murray and Carl Greenidge highlighted this issue based on their real experiences. Yet at the recent concluded Congress, there are credible allegations from several key members of the party that bona fide and eligible delegates from Linden where Mr Granger’s opponent, Aubrey Norton has his electoral strength, were excluded.

Why this fear of democracy by the senior hierarchy of the party? After the splashing of this moral shame all over the press, how can Mr Granger stand tall and expect the PPP to listen to and respect him.

Mr Granger and the PNCR have failed the people, especially the poor and the working class, ostracized the people of Linden, disengaged the youth, and have now ensured the PPP will spend five more years in power. Freedom House is smiling, especially when they hear that a shot was fired at the PNCR Congress.

In Guyana, political parties such as the PPP and the PNC have constantly manipulated elections to have a candidate of their choice elected to certain positions. They are guilty of inhibiting the freedom of citizens. Corruption breeds more corruption and corruption can never win.

If the free people of Guyana, who are in the majority, are to realize their objectives, then they should reject these people. No one should be put into a position to select their leaders in such a manner. This has no place in Guyana ever and should not have been tolerated by the retired Brigadier.

All the mud that the PPP threw on Mr Granger with respect to the 1973 elections, will now most certainly stick in the minds of many Guyanese and has placed the PNC/APNU at a disadvantage in elections. Its chances of winning 40 per cent of the votes in the 2016 elections are very dim.

However, political novices or desperate and unpopular leaders are destined to make such mistakes.

Finally, the vast majority of Guyanese are not soldiers and therefore are not likely to follow orders, especially from rookie politicians. They are more willing to follow sound, rational and experienced political leaders like Moses Nagamootoo, Carl Greenidge, Joe Harmon and Khemraj Ramjattan because they present a vision for Guyana and they are committed to the people.

They put the country first, empathize with the plight of the poor and the working class, and are steadfast in their quest to be their humble servants. They do not mouth off phrases like “one nation” and “national unity” and not mean one syllable of those phrases.

Yours faithfully, 
Asquith Rose
Harish Singh