The PPP/C government needs to learn to listen

Dear Editor,

One of the reasons the PPP/C administration almost lost the last general elections is the fact that they lost the ability to listen. I am talking about the skill to respond to the voice of reason which in many cases comes from insignificant sources such as ‘the small man.‘ There are people out there who from years of experience and good old common sense have formulated sound, educated advice that can run any country, but sadly these are not the people who are welcomed into a caucus or called into anything for that matter.

These are the people the present administration readily bypasses only to go after those who have a political affiliation but nothing else. It nearly cost them an election and I’m afraid even at this late hour if the President does not listen things can really fall apart.

During some of the political meetings in the election campaign the speakers were met with persistent heckling from the supporters there. One could understand heckling from attendees at a meeting in a PNC stronghold such as Buxton, but when that heckling is coming from diehard PPP supporters in a constituency that is virtually 100% theirs, it is a cause for concern. Despite this wake-up call the former president paid them no mind and went on his merry way. This is my major problem with the PPP/C, whenever someone comes up with an idea contrary to theirs that individual is automatically catapulted into the category of ‘opposition‘ or someone to shun.

If the party is serious about running a successful government, ideas or suggestions from other sources should be welcomed. This would be mature, intelligent behaviour and not a sign of weakness as those within the party are prone to think.

Where the PPP/C cabinet is concerned I have grave misgivings about some of the appointees. First on the list is the Minister of Works and Communication. Why was Robeson Benn reappointed?   I would also like to know why Shaik Baksh was removed from office. This minister was the only bright light in the last administration, a success story for the PPP/C for two decades first as Minister of Housing then Education. If a Navin Chandarpal can be recalled, why can’t the same be done for Shaik Baksh, a tried and proven worker?

Yours faithfully,
Neil Adams