The New Movement in turmoil as six executive members quit

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Django

Dr Asha Kissoon

Dr Asha Kissoon

November 12,2020

Six executive members of The New Movement (TNM) have resigned from the party following what they described as attempts to use the fledgling political movement for private gain.

Those who have tendered their resignations include Prime Ministerial Candidate and Representative of the list, Gerald Forde and Party Secretary Dr Josh Kanhai.

TNM is part of the novel three-party list joinder from the March 2nd general elections and will have the opportunity to occupy a seat in the 12th Parliament for five months. TNM was one of the small parties which had high visibility during the five-month election crisis.

In a letter to the party, Forde noted that TNM “has become inept.”

“This is largely due to faction formation, character (assassination) within the leadership of the movement [and the practice of] undemocratic principles by Dr. [Asha] Kissoon and [Turhane] Doerga,” he explained.

Specifically the letter accused the Presidential Candidate and party financier of “mixing private and selfish interest with national politics” in the form of Guyenergy- an oil and Gas Company created by Doerga of which Kissoon has been made a director.

Kissoon meanwhile has denied the accusations levelled against her.

“GuyEnergy is a completely separate entity to TNM. Forde is bitter that he was not invited to be a part of GuyEnergy and quite frankly that’s his problem. The issues that led to their resignations are normal internal issues faced by any political party and if he can’t handle these internal issues then he can’t lead a country….TNM will move on,” she told Stabroek News.

Forde also claimed that some leaders of the political party have aligned too closely to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic post elections and thereby corrupted the internal politics of the party.

Members, he claimed, have lost the ability to think and act critically and independently for fear of souring their relationships.

Kanhai when contacted, told Stabroek News that the executive had actually voted to suspend the Presidential Candidate from the party but found themselves facing suspension when Kissoon and Doerga took control. GCDF

“Last night the members met and six execs including myself have decided to resign. We have noted attempts to besmirch the character of members and found these actions too malicious to countenance. Members have also been threatened with legal action so we felt it would be better to resign,” he explained. GCDF

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Josh Kanhai

48m

Dear All,

Please be informed that it is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation from The New Movement (TNM) after considering all the changes and unconstitutional attempts by persons to act selfishly, go rogue, and use dictatorial force to influence my political will.

I, Josh Kanhai, have fought endlessly alongside nobility and democracy in our quest as a people for freedom from dictatorship, and I have stood for what is just and what is right in the name of our constitution. I have stood against all that was wrong and against those hoping to steal the civil rights of our people; and as such, I must continue to fight and stand up for our future. I must stand up now for my rights, my character, and my integrity by leaving The New Movement for which I am a founding member.

“Being strong doesn’t always mean that you have to fight the battle in front of you; rather true strength is being a leader who is mature enough to walk away from those who don’t stand for what is right, with your head held high.” – Anonymous.

Also, the famous leader of non-violence democracy once said “be the change you want to see in the world.” Gandhi

As we can agree to disagree, the beginnings of TNM were once predicated on pure and moral ideas and (without a doubt) for the benefit of Guyanese. However, this quickly disappeared post-election, and it became a camp impregnated with turmoil and coup-ism. The executive body voted for a new way forward (6-1), which was unaccepted among a minority of members. Weeks of resolution talks were done amongst us, and during this time, the majority did not feel comfortable working in an environment that was toxic, poisonous, and dictatorial. An environment nurtured by the party’s sole financier and his advocate. No resolution to the issue could be had, despite effort towards peaceful negotiations. This was further cemented when it was confirmed that one individual felt that would call all the shots (dictator). This is something that will never be in best interest of Guyana, its people, or myself. I work for a living like everyone else, for money, no less, but I am not bought over, I cannot be bought over. I decide what is best for me and what I want to fight for.

There are morals, principles, and standards that carve direction for my life and they will not be compromised by the current apparatus put forward by the minority of TNM members. I cannot see myself working in such a selfish, toxic, and immature environment. I wish to make it public that I am no longer associated with The New Movement, and its typical money-man financier in any way, shape or form nor any of his dictatorial actions and doctrines.

The people of Guyana must benefit at all times and I beseech the remaining two persons of TNM that you must put the Guyanese people first and not your personal selfish gains, which is disguise in to having the people believe that you share their struggles and victory over dictatorship. I bid you both Godspeed and nothing short of good thoughts.

To the people of Guyana, I will not let this discourage my will to improve the lives of every Guyanese from all walks of life; I will not let this shift my current platform to be a voice for the people and I will never stop moving forward. I will remain that humble, understanding individual with the will to make a way with a passion to improve Guyanese lives. I shall. I must. I will.

For Guyana with love,
Dr. Daniel Josh Kanhai
November 12th, 2020.

11/12/208:16 PM