Dear Editor,
When Burnham and Jagan split in 1955, Burnham was 31 years old and Jagan was 36. With the ebullience of youth, each may have thought that his way would prevail and the other would be forced to conform or face oblivion.
It is highly probable they were oblivious to the forces beyond their control that the split would unleash to wreak havoc among Guyanese for decades.
David Granger is 69. Moses Nagamootoo is 67. They have lived long and seen much. They have also lived for years now in the internet age, awash with information and analyses on political experiences around the world, with numerous insights on the anatomy of success and failure in nation building. They bring to the task of leadership a far richer constellation of perceptions than
Burnham and Jagan had in 1955. They are far better equipped to foster unity in Guyana than were the youths Burnham and Jagan. Research on their lives suggests that they do not have a lust for material acquisitions.
They do not seem to have assets beyond what they have honestly earned. In the recent political campaign, so much abuse and vile claims were thrown at them.
But they were calm and did not seek an eye for an eye, another important mark of character. Their campaign behaviour left the impression that they are not impetuous, they are not bullies and thugs, they will understand that the Guyanese nation is their employer, and they will abide by the terms and conditions of their employment by the Guyanese people. Their calm in the face of vicious attack during the campaign indicates they are likely to have the wisdom to ward off agents provocateurs who will desperately seek to split the coalition with cunningly orchestrated claims that one part of the coalition is getting more than the other, cheating the other, etc.
They should be sagacious enough to know how to put in place intelligent conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure the coalition survives and thrives. Their long marriages to Sandra and Sita must have taught them that even in the closest relationships, there will sometimes be conflict and tension. What matters is how thoughtfully these are resolved. Granger and Nagamootoo, in steering the coalition to victory at the polls, have shown that they can do more than just talk.
They have an aptitude for delivering. Ulele Burnham, Joey Jagan and others have correctly emphasized that Guyanese must monitor the coalition to ensure it performs and hold it accountable if it does not. As we do so, we must be ever aware that it has become the historic mission of David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo to lead this nation to a greater destiny. It is now their most sacred obligation to implement that of which many Guyanese have spoken and dreamt.
Yours faithfully,
Ramesh Deonaraine
