All systems are in place for a smooth Nomination Day tomorrow for the upcoming PNCR Congress where a leader will be elected.
Meanwhile, sources told Stabroek News that prominent Lindener, Vanessa Kissoon was yesterday reinstated as a member of the party by way of motion.
“Everything is in place and we foresee no major hiccups on Friday for Nomination Day,” a party source told Stabroek News yesterday, following a meeting of the party’s Central Executive.
Several party members have thrown their hat in the ring to contest for leadership of the party and this has led to acrimonious exchanges. There has been no word from current party leader and former President David Granger on whether he would be seeking another terms. Granger is presently on leave from the party. PNCR Chair Volda Lawrence has also not said whether she will run for the post of leader if nominated.
At yesterday’s meeting, according to sources, Kissoon was formally reinstated following a motion by her longtime supporter and candidate for Leader Aubrey Norton. It was also supported by former Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff Gary Best.
Before the motion, PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally read a letter outlining that it had been seven years since Kissoon and the then party General Secretary, Oscar Clarke had an altercation, resulting in her suspension, sources told this newspaper.
Ally said, according to sources, that the suspension was still in place although Clarke and Kissoon had resolved their differences and that members had asked for Kissoon’s reinstating and the Central Executive should approve that request.
The incident in 2014 had arisen over the use of the PNCR facilities in Linden. Locks on the facilities were changed and this subsequently led to an altercation between Kissoon and Clarke.
Kissoon, then a Member of Parliament for the PNCR since 2006, was subsequently moved from the second row of APNU’s parliamentary contingent to a back seat and then recalled altogether from the position.
She had never spoken of the incident except to say that “every action had a reaction” and in late 2014 had told this newspaper that she was still committed to the party.
Sources told this newspaper that party members had been lobbying for Kissoon’s return and some see her as vital in lobbying support in Region 10.
Kissoon was seen as a highly active regional leader within the party and as a stand-alone community activist.
Norton had been Kissoon’s supporter from then and had said that when she was suspended it was not in keeping with the party’s constitution.
Positing that the matter was badly handled by the party which had allowed it to get out of control, Norton had said internal spats should not have the chance to play in the public arena. This only happens, he had reasoned, when party members feel aggrieved, and/or that their positions have not been justly taken into consideration.
Norton had recalled that deceased PNC leader Forbes Burnham was known to hold meetings with persons who had grievances. The positions of both parties would be taken into consideration in accordance with the party’s Constitution and acceptable solutions were found without any party feeling cheated enough to seek redress in the public, he had said.
Nomination day is tomorrow and the Congress begins on December 11th.
