Dr. Rishi Thakur, a one-time supporter of the Alliance For Change (AFC), has jumped ship and joined A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), saying he had major disagreements over corruption and the discourse on race and politics.
The University of Guyana (UG) political scientist is among APNU’s 26-member leadership.
Asked why he parted company with the AFC, he explained that that party had failed to address concerns about corruption Region Six – East Berbice/ Corentyne.
“It’s not a change of heart; it’s the commitment and diligence to which they were going to pursue the questions of corruption, corrupt practices and not just the way in which Georgetown was involved but how communities were being brought on board,” Thakur told Demerara Waves Online News ( www.demwaves.com )
Thakur chided the AFC for having a lackluster approach to addressing the issue of race and crossing historical racial barriers and bridging the racial-political divide.
“It didn’t seem to me that they were interested in pursuing it with the kind of diligence and commitment we felt was necessary and which, in fact, is necessary because we are not going to go anywhere until we can begin to speak to each other in an honest and open manner,” he added.
Reacting, AFC executive member, Gerhard Ramsaroop told Demerara Waves Online News that his party regretted Thakur’s decision and still considered him a valuable person.
“We don’t see him as a reject, we see it as a loss but at the same time, we are stiull making tremendous strides as clearly seen in Whim last Saturday where at least 1,000 persons attended a march and meeting,” said Ramsaroop, adding that Thakur had not been campaigning for some time now.
Party insiders told Demerara Waves on condition of anonymity that while Thakur had done a lot of work, there were lots of disagreements and personality conflict with some persons in the Upper Corentyne area.
Party officials were somewhat surprised by Thakur’s decision, saying that up to Thursday, he had given assurances that he had been still with the AFC.
Thakur's exit comes days after former Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) member, Richard Vanwest Charles and former Peoples Progressive Party member, Rajendra Bissessar defected to the AFC. The AFC says it is also talking with the PPPC's Moses Nagamootoo with a view to offering him a "high position".
Meanwhile, reacting to the announcement of APNU’s leadership team, the governing Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) said it “confirms a widely held view that this so-called alliance is a mere political makeover of the PNC” for general elections slated for November 28.
“A cursory glance at the list announced today reveals that that 96% of persons are affiliated with the PNC. Another startling fact is that many were part of the PNC when that party was in Government, showing clearly that many of the young and new faces, who until recently held prominent positions in the PNC, choose not to be part of this electoral scheme,” PPPC campaign spokesman, Robert Persaud said in an initial reaction.
Calling APNU the PNC by another name, Persaud noted that APNU prime ministerial candidate, Rupert Roopnaraine comes from a bygone political era and without any political supporters and cannot take away from the fact that the APNU is unable to present a credible, forward-looking team.
“Further, many PNC supporters, especially the younger ones who are joining the ranks of the PPP/C complain that they are yet to either hear or read about the group's vision for Guyana,” he said in apparent reference to APNU’s yet to be unveiled manifesto.
“Clearly, the APNU leadership is just more of the old PNC by another name with more of the same, old and failed ideas,” he added.
The PPP/C promised to reach out to frustrated PNC members, especially youths.
Roopnaraine earlier Tuesday acknowledged that the leadership team was heavily weighted in favour of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) because it is the dominant and largest member of the coalition.
APNU is made up of the PNCR, Working Peoples Alliance (WPA), Guyana Action Party (GAP) and the following least known or recognized parties--National Front Alliance (NFA) and theGuyana Peoples Partnership (GPP), Guyana National Congress (GNC) and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
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The University of Guyana (UG) political scientist is among APNU’s 26-member leadership.
Asked why he parted company with the AFC, he explained that that party had failed to address concerns about corruption Region Six – East Berbice/ Corentyne.
“It’s not a change of heart; it’s the commitment and diligence to which they were going to pursue the questions of corruption, corrupt practices and not just the way in which Georgetown was involved but how communities were being brought on board,” Thakur told Demerara Waves Online News ( www.demwaves.com )
Thakur chided the AFC for having a lackluster approach to addressing the issue of race and crossing historical racial barriers and bridging the racial-political divide.
“It didn’t seem to me that they were interested in pursuing it with the kind of diligence and commitment we felt was necessary and which, in fact, is necessary because we are not going to go anywhere until we can begin to speak to each other in an honest and open manner,” he added.
Reacting, AFC executive member, Gerhard Ramsaroop told Demerara Waves Online News that his party regretted Thakur’s decision and still considered him a valuable person.
“We don’t see him as a reject, we see it as a loss but at the same time, we are stiull making tremendous strides as clearly seen in Whim last Saturday where at least 1,000 persons attended a march and meeting,” said Ramsaroop, adding that Thakur had not been campaigning for some time now.
Party insiders told Demerara Waves on condition of anonymity that while Thakur had done a lot of work, there were lots of disagreements and personality conflict with some persons in the Upper Corentyne area.
Party officials were somewhat surprised by Thakur’s decision, saying that up to Thursday, he had given assurances that he had been still with the AFC.
Thakur's exit comes days after former Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) member, Richard Vanwest Charles and former Peoples Progressive Party member, Rajendra Bissessar defected to the AFC. The AFC says it is also talking with the PPPC's Moses Nagamootoo with a view to offering him a "high position".
Meanwhile, reacting to the announcement of APNU’s leadership team, the governing Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) said it “confirms a widely held view that this so-called alliance is a mere political makeover of the PNC” for general elections slated for November 28.
“A cursory glance at the list announced today reveals that that 96% of persons are affiliated with the PNC. Another startling fact is that many were part of the PNC when that party was in Government, showing clearly that many of the young and new faces, who until recently held prominent positions in the PNC, choose not to be part of this electoral scheme,” PPPC campaign spokesman, Robert Persaud said in an initial reaction.
Calling APNU the PNC by another name, Persaud noted that APNU prime ministerial candidate, Rupert Roopnaraine comes from a bygone political era and without any political supporters and cannot take away from the fact that the APNU is unable to present a credible, forward-looking team.
“Further, many PNC supporters, especially the younger ones who are joining the ranks of the PPP/C complain that they are yet to either hear or read about the group's vision for Guyana,” he said in apparent reference to APNU’s yet to be unveiled manifesto.
“Clearly, the APNU leadership is just more of the old PNC by another name with more of the same, old and failed ideas,” he added.
The PPP/C promised to reach out to frustrated PNC members, especially youths.
Roopnaraine earlier Tuesday acknowledged that the leadership team was heavily weighted in favour of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) because it is the dominant and largest member of the coalition.
APNU is made up of the PNCR, Working Peoples Alliance (WPA), Guyana Action Party (GAP) and the following least known or recognized parties--National Front Alliance (NFA) and theGuyana Peoples Partnership (GPP), Guyana National Congress (GNC) and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
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