From inception in 1955 the People National Congress has never commanded  majority support of the Guyanese people yet they were able to capture political power in 1964 and went on to govern undemocratically for 28 consecutive years. How was this possible? This is a logical question that a young Guyanese would ask if given the aforementioned fact. It is mind-boggling how men and parties achieved political power and change the course of history, In Guyana's case it was the effects of the cold war that resulted in a minority party capturing the reins of power. 

The rise of nationalism in the early part of the 20th century saw people rising up against colonialism throughout  the world. People began fighting to free themselves from the shackles of European colonialism. Guyana caught the fever and the quest for independence from Britain began. However, below the surface of the nationalist movement in Guyana were ethnic differences brewing for a long time waiting to explode. Indians and Africans comprised about 80% of population. Both groups were united under the leadership of the People's Progressive Party led by Dr. Cheddie Jagan. Dr. Jagan would  picked Mr. Forbes Burnham as his personal secretary and helped him in campaign to become mayor of Georgetown.

The unknown Burnham was brought into the limelight of politics by Dr. Jagan. Many in Jagan's party felt leery about Burnham and called for Apaan Jaat. Jagan either overlooked certain things about Burnham or was just too naive'. The swords were pointed to the British to oust them from British Guiana forever.

This movement quickly succumbed to the pressures from below coming from the ethnic rivalries between the two groups. Burnham broke the party and went his own way. He ran in several elections and failed to be beat Jagan. In 1960, the United Force was formed under the leadership of Peter D'Aguiar. This was another ethnic party made of Portugese. The UF attracted many Indians and Amerindians. They were able to shear off sufficient votes from the PPP and made it easy for a coalition government with the PNC . The coalition was dominated by the PNC. The PNC quickly pushed the UF aside after they cosolidated power. They governed until 1992 when the US intervened and ended the dictatorship by forcing free elections. The PNC is now lying that Desmond Hoyte gave us free elections.

Today the situation is somewhat different but the prospect of a coalition gov't. or a division of votes by the AFC can result in a disaster similar to the pre-independence period when the UF participation in general elections resulted in bringing down the PPP government. What would it mean to be governed again by the PNC? It would mean dictatorship, severe repression against the East Indian population, and destruction of the economy. The AFC ran in the last elections was held to sihphoned off votes from the PPP strongholds in regions and 5 and 6. This result in the PPP missing a single vote from winning a majority. The PPP still won the most votes of any of the parties and were constituitonally allowed to form the government. However, missing one vote gave the PNC an advantage of the gov't: they can cut the budget and frustrate the government. 

The AFC turned out to be a party that is a great friend of the PNC. The PNC does not attack the AFC nor do they allow anyone to do so. The has become a sacred cow to the PNC. Their hopes have never been this high before Congress House now sees their political salvation lies in the AFC's ability to steal the Indian votes from the PPP and weaken it. This the  only way to the beat the PPP. The AFC cares not about the disaster to come. They are obsessed with destroying their former colleagues. Ramjattan stated it well when he said "the AFC exists only for the destruction of the PPP".  If the people of Guyana wants to prevent this country from going down that road we took in the sixties then they would have to pull their heads out of the sand and ostracize the AFC. It's siimple to do.  Just don't vote for them.