Dear Editor,

I am thinking of, and examining, the political choreography of former Opposition Leader and now national leader, President David Granger. There is some head-scratching on my part. The man is perplexing in his going against the grain stances and practices. His positions reflect some pre-emptive chess moves, as well as a careful defensive strategy. Given his previous career, I could not help but to outline in military terms.

I see that his mind functions, in some respects, like a Maginot Line: formidable, unmoving, and impregnable. He establishes a certain known position, and does not allow himself to be either distracted or dislodged. There is little deviation, regardless of the sharp disagreements. There are those, too.

Take the entire election season, including the proroguing of parliament. His position was: no road, no crowd, and no self-entrapment. He could foresee in true chess fashion the enticing openings, but resisted the temptation (and continuing calls) to venture into hostile territory, and fulfil the charged sinister agenda of adversaries. The bunker it was going to be for him; and so it was.

It was the same unswerving story with the election results, and the controversies about those said results: This is where I stand; I am not engaging; I am not compromising.

Nowadays, his constant mantra is no witch-hunting, no massive personnel upheavals. I must confess to some conflict with this for a variety of compelling reasons (think trust, confidence, and integrity, among other things); and this same conflict is heard in the arena of local discussion on this thorny issue. But like the Maginot Line, the new president stands firm and unflappable: no witch-hunting, no recrimination.

He speaks of national unity and inclusion, and then endeavours mightily to adhere to this philosophy and vision. And in his insistence on cooling temperatures and smoothing expectations, he is already ahead of the game. It is that before he makes called for, much needed changes, he hears the unuttered, barely stifled roar of discrimination. No, he will not deliver that gift. He will neither be baited nor be cornered nor be hurried into precipitate action. Thus he marches to his own drum, and at his own pace.

It is part chess and part Maginot Line. Guyanese, self-included, should get used to this way and manner, as there is more to come on his own timetable There is also the patience of Job embedded somewhere in all of this.

Yours faithfully,

GHK Lall