Dear Editor,
The result of the November 28 polls has so shattered the credibility of Vishnu Bisram and exposed his suspect biases towards the incumbent PPP/C government that he has offered shallow explanations to dispute the accusations of deception and the humiliation he invited on himself. He has so far proffered at least three reasons to account for his misleading, erratic and flawed polls and analyses.
(1) Moses Nagamootoo’s sojourn in the AFC took PPP/C’s votes: Though I once wrote that Nagamootoo joining the AFC would be the final nail in the PPP/C’s coffin, I now believe his alliance may have cost the AFC votes, as the plastering, lambasting, barrage of insults and derogatory attacks on him may have turned away lots of prospective, weak and undecided voters and caused them to scorn the AFC.
(2) Mr Bisram then postulated that the PNC, now APNU and the AFC did better effective on-the-ground campaigning. This is obviously being dishonest, as not only Guyanese but persons worldwide are aware of the massive campaign of bribes; give-aways; mega shows; wage increases; incessant media lure and badgering; distribution of T shirts; abundant vodka and cranberry; the spending of tens of millions on the workforce and posters; flags on every electricity and telephone post; mega billboards; and the cajoling, aggressive house-to-house pleading and even threats in some cases of other party supporters.
It is rubbish to say the PPP/C did not do enough, for there was a relentless and pervasive assault on towns and villages in urban, rural even interior areas, where bribery was the order of the day. Added to this there were the Ron Sanders, Asgar Ally’s, David Debidins, Sonny Ramphals and Oscar Ramjeets, Ricky Singhs et al, glamourizing a corrupt regime. The glorification was unprecedented. Mr Bisram ought to try another diversionary tactic.
(3) Mr Bisram’s recent cover is CN Sharma; he assumed that the votes Mr Sharma gained went to APNU since he aligned with that coalition. It is not likely Sharma would have attracted substantial votes considering his numbers in the last elections and the PPP/C’s mesmeric hold over the gullible and the vulnerable. Mr Sharma probably sent the PPP/C’s supporters to the AFC camp, not APNU.These fragile shields are not good enough for Mr Bisram to exonerate himself. He should try some other muddling later.
The reason for the defeat is one I had written previously – the PPP/c has messed up too much. They now have a chance in President Ramotar who has impressed me after listening to his media interaction and his approach to some matters.
I wish him great success and hope that Guyana develops rapidly and has all the requisites primarily with a caring, intelligent and honest leader. He must now rid the government of the corrupt elements. Having them around would be counterproductive and deleterious.
Yours faithfully,
M Sookraj
