Dear Editor,
The call for a change of leadership in the PNC only scratches the surface of what is a larger and inherent problem. The PNC has a greater need for overarching democratic reforms, than a change in leadership. The PNC is not an ordinary political party. That is, it has never won a general election on its own merits since its inception, despite being older than an independent Guyana.
Its business has characterized the very concept of ‘opposition’ politics in Guyana and, sadly, this PNC business has been as violent as it has been murky and disorganized. It has always alienated the largest voting bloc (East Indians) and yet complained that it has never triumphed in the politics of arithmetic. Instead of canvassing seriously for East Indian votes, it allowed its supporters to commit civil rights violations by attacking East Indian voters for exercising their right to vote.
No community can possibly prosper from this kind of political culture; yet, in Guyana, such political culture was celebrated. Mr Hoyte once said he negotiated with the PPP from a position of strength; strength that originated in those civil rights violations.
Additionally, the PNC ignored some basic laws in life: it expected good faith to emerge from street violence. When the law of life did not follow the PNC’s brand of politics, it was Mr Hoyte (not the PPP) who complained; he called for a pause to activities that resulted from PPP-PNC talks held because of “mo fyah” or confrontational politics.
Today, talk of Team Alexander is a sign that the PNC may very well return to the days of “mo fyah.” There has been no indication from which one may infer that Team Alexander is concerned with the systemic democratic reform of PNC culture. For starters, in contrast to Mr Corbin who reached out to East Indians during the crime blitz, Team Alexander is headed by a politician who said that street violence against PPP supporters, though unfortunate, is needed to have political progress. In the age of the iPhone and the Blackberry and the iPod, this kind of ideology belongs to a bygone era. It is a form of politics espoused by people who, disillusioned and impatient, fear systemic democratic reforms and instead cling to old, dead-end ideas.
Their uneasiness comes not only from a rightful contempt for the PPP’s outlandish sense of governance, but from their own inability to implement democratic principles as part of a plan to confront this abusive PPP. The notion of importing democratic attitudes and convictions into party affairs is a terrifying thing to the PNC (as well as the PPP).
Interestingly, some of the people who speak in favour of “mo fyah,” are the very folks who have complained that East Indians voted “race.” Others have no interest in democratic reforms because they are seen as impractical, if not laborious and time consuming; instead, they have a quick-fix in ‘power sharing.’ This quick-fix is meant to invalidate basic constitutional concepts such as general elections and voting. The need for power has overthrown any need for democracy.
However, before the parties can agree to any quick-fixes, one party has to stir up things enough to force the other party into a compromise. For the party that is willing to shut down Guyana, it is the only way to win in the politics of arithmetic.
And this is, arguably, a fundamental reason why Team Alexander and its supporters are asking Mr Corbin to resign.
Yours faithfully,
Rakesh Rampertab
A lot of truth in this reasoning from Rakesh. Don’t agree that the PNC can ever get enough Indian votes, but I think this letter explains how many will see the call for Corbin to go and for a more “militant” approach. The interesting point is what a party that can never win could and should do for its followers..
Rakesh the PPP is not innocent to violence either. Both parties have their divisive politics starting in the 1950s, so let’s not pretend.The PPP does not court African votes. Take it from me who was discourage because the numbers were already on the PPP side. Because these are the facts of our politics I empathise with Afro-Guyanese who are calling for power-sharing and human rights enforcement. Our democracy is not a democracy because the winner takes all and excuses are made to keep the loosers out.
I too do agree with the general perspective of the writer on the inherent contradictions, which infest the “logic” of Team Alexander and its call for a change of leadership of the PNC. It is however, disappointing to find Mr Rampertab commits the same mistake in his characterization of the public’s right of political protest adopted so successfully by Mr Hoyte as an attack on voters of Indian origin, and of their right to vote for their own political candidate! The political protests led by the PNC were directed at the incumbent government’s well known human rights abuses, which were compounded by the routine extrajudicial killings, and of course, the economic and political discrimination that that the populace was subjected to by the PPP’s government.
It is regrettable , that some persons still find it expedient to describe the disenchantment with the Jagdeo regime as founded on some sort of antipathy towards another ethnicity that have traditionally supported the PPP. If this were to be true, what hope for a unitary Guyana?
Any political leader who advocates or supports violence should be jailed, and be requires not to hold any political office or position.
These are half truth, but does not explain the full problem.many have succeeded in the Pn/c, from both voting blocs. The problem today is one of patience. It is a world problem.
The ppp have experienced it, with Mr. Ramjattan.asgar ally,etc
Guyana’s political culture will always remain a misunderstood phenomenon in the diaspora. Why? Because on either side of the racial divide there is the culture of distrust and very little attempts at understanding the struggles of each other. When Mr Hoyte called for “Mo Fyah”, he never meant ethnic cleansing as intimated Rakesh Rampertab and those who are bent on keeping us separated. Why can’t the Rakeshes interpret “Mo Fayah” as a clarion call to stand up for the injustices and discrimation perpetuated by the PPP on the perceived PNC supporters. Beautiful Guyana is gradually being destroyed by the pervading Guyanese culture – ie the culture of suspicion and distrust.
The PNC needs to honestly win an election,honestly run a government, and honestly learn how to be honest.They have done a negative share in he great work of rebuilding Guyana, so a change of attitude and aproach should help improve their chances. IF THEY ARE CAPABLE OF IT.RECORDS SHOW HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT CAPABLE OF ANY FORM OF GOVERNANCE.ANYTIME.HENCE THEY ARE RIGHT WHERE THEY BELONG. OUT IN THE COLD.FOREVER.LET US GIVE CREDIT TO THE GUYANESE PEOPLE FOR BOOTING THESE CAREER FELONS OUT.