Ramjattan’s position on the YCT march is ludicrous

Dear Editor,

In recent times I have had cause to hold my breath anytime Mr. Ramjattan is about to make an unprepared speech, it’s just not his strong point. He tends to become emotional and irrational.  Take for example his recent utterances on an alleged planned march by YCT and his insistence that Moses be Speaker of the Parliament. Let’s take the latter first. In setting  out his argument in support of Moses, he had the following to say “It takes a lot of thought and had to have been a heart-rending decision to remove yourself from the PPP to come and join another political party ……………..” Editor this is the first time I have ever heard an argument like this, an argument that seeks to define a man as honourable, as trustworthy, by pointing out that he found it “heart-rending” to walk away from company that he, himself defines as dishonourable. Secondly Mr. Ramjattan has frequently told us that the AFC would never join with the PNC, because of the PNC’s behaviour over twenty years ago. Yet this same Ramjattan is angry when persons express reservation about Mr. Nagamootoo based upon his very recent behaviour. This is a man who voted for Mr. Jagdeo’s pension, said nothing in parliament when the opposition attempted to have a number of issues discussed and were denied, voted for the release of monies to fund questionable deals etc, this is the man we are being asked to trust unreservedly?  In that same article of   1st January 2012,  Ramjattan goes on to say of Moses “no one could say that he is closely identifiable with the PPP as Granger is indicating.” Oh really?

Moses has made it very clear how much he wants to be speaker, indeed he has suggested that the AFC seeks the PPP/C’s support for him in this matter. Now both Moses and Ramjattan have, in recent times, made it very clear to the nation that the PPP will always do that which is in its own interest. So, if Moses is not to be identified with the PPP, why is he so confident of their support, if he is not going to act in their interest? Is this guy Ramjattan for real?

I understand that Moses and Ramjattan are close friends and therefore his trust of him (Moses). But please, I only know Moses based upon his behaviour over the years, so it would be nice if Mr. Ramjattan can be as understanding with me (as I have been with him when he stated his distrust of the PNC), when I say I am not yet ready to join him as he screams what an honourable man Moses is.

On this matter of the YCT marching in support of Ms Backer as speaker of the parliament, did I read correctly? Mr. Ramjattan is threatening to pull the AFC out of discussions with APNU, if the young people demonstrate their independence? Is this what the youngest of those who recently sought to be President thinks of young people? He wants APNU to instruct the young people not to march on a matter that they (the young people) feel strongly about? You mean that in Khemraj’s court he would find parents guilty when their adult children behave in a manner he considers inappropriate? If Ramjattan really considers this declared intent to march by the young people “silly” and that it will not “impress the AFC”, then why suggest such a response to a “silly” act that does not “impress the AFC?”

Meanwhile, to the powers in APNU don’t you dare allow this presumptuousness demanded by Ramjattan. To the YCT, please see to it that we all know of this march, it is important to me that I show support of any group that demands its right to free thought and action within the law. No individual or group has the right to ask that you accept being muzzled as a demonstration of your support. Those of us, who have marched against the PNC and the PPP when we thought they were wrong, must now not hesitate to march against the AFC if it considers appropriate and supports Mr. Ramjattan and his foolishness. Is this denying our young people the right of  independent thought and action aspects of this new Guyana Ramjattan says he wants to help build? And on this new Guyana,  Editor, would it not be a sign for hope in this country if youths who support the PPP and those who supported the AFC ,would also join this march? Not because they identify with the YCT on the issue of the speaker, but to demonstrate support for young people’s right to independent thought and action, within the law.

Yours faithfully,
Claudius Prince