The PNCR is a divided and weak party
DEAR EDITOR,
The bitter and angry outcries that rang out at the PNC Congress last weekend have driven the final nail into the party’s chances of defeating the PPP and forming the next government. The PNCR under the leadership of David Granger has blown it.
Charges of rigging elections at the Party Congress are not new. It has happened many times before, but it appears that the current top brass of the PNCR leadership have not learnt anything. The statement that there was no padding of the delegates’ list, rigging of elections or the party is not divided, is not only arrogant, but shows that the leaders are in serious denial.
True or false, the perception that the elections have been rigged has sunk into the minds of the people and become reality. It also shows that skills are seriously lacking to lead a political organization that depends mostly on volunteers and not military commands. While some diehard PNCR supporters believe that it will take months to repair the damage done at the recently concluded Congress, we beg to differ. Such damage is irreparable, because in terms of rigging elections, the PNCR has always been a suspect, and almost everyone knows it.
The PNCR has lost a golden opportunity to allow democracy to flourish throughout its machinery and thus bolster its image. Moreover, this was Mr. Granger’s last chance to preside over an unblemished Congress and he has failed miserably. 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? When will they stop the rigging of elections at the Party’s Congress? 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? Will the people trust him? It is time for the leaders of the PNCR to face reality and acknowledge that it is a party dominated by senior citizens who are not in touch with the people, especially the youths.
Mr. Aubrey Norton’s bid for the Leadership of the PNCR was forcefully rejected by the party hierarchy, backed by a flawed election process with the intent to safeguard the leadership of Mr. Granger. Why are those who claim to believe in democracy afraid to contest free and fair elections? Why do they continue to support the rigging of elections? The PNC, with a history of elections that were never considered as free and fair by the majority of the people, save and except for the 1964 and 1992 elections, should have been extremely sensitive of this stain on the party’s image. Is it worth destroying the image of the party over a leadership race?
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 were credible allegations from several key members of the party that bona fide and eligible delegates from Linden were excluded, where challenger Aubrey Norton has his electoral strength.
Why this fear of democracy? After the splashing of this moral shame all over the press, how can Mr. Granger stand tall and expect the PPP bullies to listen to and respect him. The allegations of padding the delegates’ list or the rigging of elections are very serious and have divided and weakened the PNCR to the point where some of its prospective supporters have bolted.
The PNCR has failed the people, ostracized the faithful from Linden with their vindictive leadership style, disengaged youth, and has now ensured the PPP five more years in power.
Finally, we are telling Mr. Granger that the vast majority of Guyanese are not likely to follow orders 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 the phrases.
Time is up for David Granger, Oscar Clarke and others.
Asquith Rose and Harish Singh
