PPP flip-flops on participation in electioneering debates
- Coalition calls on President Ramotar to honour his word
By Abena Rockcliffe From all indications, the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is not at all willing to
PPP/C’s Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar
have its Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates stand on a public platform and debate those representing A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) in the same capacity. Even though PPP/C’s Presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar declared that his running mate, Elisabeth Harper is more than capable of debating APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo, the Party has officially communicated that the “handlers” of Harper have decided against such a move. The PPP/C and the APNU+AFC coalition had agreed to participate in Presidential debates organized by the Private Sector Commission (PSC). When APNU+ AFC met with the PSC, it expressed that it sees it apt to also hold Prime Ministerial debates. The coalition also stated that it would not participate in any debate unless it comes as a package deal involving both Presidential and Prime Ministerial debates. Ramotar then conveyed a message to the effect that Harper is pumped and ready to debate Nagamootoo. Ramotar made his declaration even after Kaieteur News published a front page article informing the nation that the PPP refused to partake in Prime Ministerial debates. But President Ramotar said that he wasn’t aware that the PPP had indicated its unwillingness to participate in Prime Ministerial debates. He added that he sees no reason why this should be the case, as Harper is more than competent and equipped for any debate, in particular one against Nagamootoo. “Nagamootoo is no match for Harper, I am sure Harper can account for herself,” said Ramotar.
APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate, David Granger
However, it seems like the incumbent President’s confident talk was all a bluff. He made his declaration a week ago, yet according to PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud, no official word was communicated to his organization. When contacted yesterday, Persaud said that there is nothing new to report .Kaieteur News questioned Persaud as to whether he would have heard anything from the PPP/C, his only response was “nothing new.” However, during a subsequent interview with APNU+AFC Co-Chair, Raphael Trotman Kaieteur News learnt that there was indeed some new information. According to Trotman, the PPP/C has since communicated that it will not be “bullied” into contesting the debates. He said this is what was told to him by Persaud. “They are now trying to turn this on us, but we are not bullying anybody, we are just holding the President to his word” said Trotman. He added, “We are ready, we are anxious and the people of Guyana need this. It is what is best.” Relentless efforts to contact Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, with whom the PSC Chairman has been in communication, proved futile. Kaieteur News was interested in finding out whether he overrode Ramotar’s decision with regard to the PPP’s participation in the Prime Ministerial leg of the debate or if it is a case where Ramotar changed his mind. From the beginning, the PPP/C was skeptical about partaking in any debate.
PSC Chairman, Ramesh Persaud
More than a month ago Ramotar told Kaieteur News that he was up to the challenge of debating his policies but noted that he will not take part in the debate unless it is organized by his campaign team. This position, the President said, was taken because he has a bad taste left in his mouth from the last debate held during the 2011 elections. That debate was held at the University of Guyana. APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate, David Granger in alluding to those very debates had said that they were organized and all three parties— PPP/C, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and APNU—had agreed to go through with it. “But by the second round, President Ramotar disappeared and it was only me and (AFC Leader and 2011 Presidential Candidate) Mr. (Khemraj) Ramjattan,” said Granger. Ramotar later told Kaieteur News that his no-show at that debate was due to the fact that it was horribly organized. He had explained that the fact that he could not hear himself during the debates coupled with other glitches caused him to abort the schedule. Eventually it was agreed that the PSC would organize the debates, but APNU+AFC’s call for Prime Ministerial debates as well has sparked new excuses.