Guyana Observer News

PNCR supporters wake up and smell the coffee and retake control of the party

Monday, 23 August 2010

By Tony Jones

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It should not come as a big surprise that AFC Leader and presidential hopeful (candidate), Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan plans to meet shortly with an official of US State Department. While this is ‘No Big Deal’, the optics and public perception cannot be ignored. What is very disconcerting is the fact that this visit will include AFC activists from NY/NJ chapter that apparently arranged the modalities with the State department. It is bewildering that a prominent fringe group in Guyana has the capacity with assistance from ardent adherents to excise this level of influence. Last week the AFC was also represented at a State Department sponsored event for the Caribbean Diasporas.

Something appears odd given the above-mentioned events. Why has the PNCR, adopted a laissez faire attitude that permits a fringe group to usurp their political space and by neglect allow AFC to act as though they are Guyana’s Main Opposition Party? What has prevented PNCR supporters in North America to do initiate similar meeting for their current party leader/officials? As the PNCR continues to implode if not self-destruct, AFC has quickly and without much public fanfare emerged as a serious threat to the PNCR and its very survival as a political entity.
In recent months the PNCR strategy has become more apparent and definitely troubling. Unfortunately, the notion of winning at any cost though successful in the short term (internal election victories/retaining leadership of the Party) has extremely dangerous long-term and dire consequences. The future of Afro-Guyanese citizens does not augur well with a decimated or defunct PNCR, the only political party Afro-Guyanese have relied on for their human and civil rights protection as well as daily sustenance.
I urge all supporters of the PNCR to pause and reflect on their ill-conceived notion of ‘follow the leader’, this false premise of blind loyalty has no place in any modern political party. Why in the 21st century (techno era, information age) are we still operating in such secrecy, which compromises our ability to function as a democratic institution? Why is dissent now akin to disrespect and anti this or anti that…Substantive action or lack thereof by the PNCR leadership reinforces the public perception of what we are as a party and by extension a prospective government? How can we truly consider or believe the prevailing negative opinions of the populace will translate in positive election results?
Can we truly expect to seek and gain public acceptance for our record in the last 18 years. Inter alia that party membership is at an all time low, public antagonism among party leaders, the party financial coffers all but nigh empty, party assets lost and perhaps never to be regained, apathy and malaise at a low ebb, inept representation by parliamentarians and most appalling the likelihood of losing many former PNC strong-holds at the next general election scheduled for 2011. What is also possible is being relegated to a third party status in parliament?
Being an eternal optimist, there is a silver lining- A PNCR coalition with a ticket that consists of a male and female- Indo/Afro Guyanese. At the same time I believe PNCR supporters in North America must recognize that the AFC tactics and strategy are working and ours are NOT. The difference in approach of the two entities is indeed revealing. The AFC operates on the basis of being inclusive and therefore is reliant of massive support from the Guyanese Diaspora. Sadly, the PNCR leadership has for obvious reasons calculated that too many anti this and anti that… exists in the Diaspora and there is no sense or benefit reaching out to those disaffected members/supporters.
Recently, it was observed that a few well known party officials visited North America and rather than seek to mend fences and broaden its base, instead reached out to a handful of die-hearts. Again, it was the same tired and over worked die-hearts that were presented to Lindeners and others, trumpeting the party’s success in North America. Let’s be real here! In the last five years the PNC label has become ‘bad news’ very hard to sell. Many stalwarts have resigned themselves regretfully to witness the total collapse of a once dominant political institution in Guyana.
Earlier this year, PNCR had announced that the North America Region would be involved in planning commemorative celebrations in August to mark the Founder Leader-LFS Burnham’s death. While this may be seen as reasonable, one has to ask a simple question: What is the role or purpose of the current North America Region? Is it merely to raise funds among the faithful few or a few actors/agents that project a semblance of broad appeal among overseas party supporters or is it to garner plausible support for our party from nationals in every community across NA. Further, why is it that so many professionals/educators are mere onlookers as mediocrity dominates the leadership of the PNCR? We are who we are (political party) by virtue of the leaders we elect/select at every level or subgroup.
Until and unless PNCR supporters in North America stop and desist from the fallacy of group thinking not much will change. Lest we forget the AFC exists because of PNCR disaffected members/supporters. Following the 2006 elections their so-called leaders (The three blind mice) have adopted a deliberate and conspicuous plot to undermine our (PNCR) existence as a national political party. Part of their PR tactics is to package AFC to the political power elites in North America and beyond as the party best suited to defeat the PPP/C in 2011 and or as the most viable force to accomplish such a task when Guyanese go to the polls in 2016.
They are not interested in reaching out or working with the PNCR. Their plan is beyond next year’s election. It seems they are determined to form a majority government by 2016. Their attempt at a partnership/alliance with other fringe groups is just to capture another 5 to 8 seats in 2011 and use that momentum to propel them to future electoral victory. This is a risky and dangerous scenario but so far it appears to be working much to their delight and the satisfaction of its support base, which is predominantly drawn from nationals residing in North America.
PNCR supporters wake up and smell the coffee and retake control of the party from those who are willing to be obstacles to progress and a better life for Afro-Guyanese. Are we prepared to duplicate history by drinking from a lethal and detrimental vessel rather than doing what is right though not popular by questioning the motives of those that purport to lead us. Refusing to go along to get along or questioning established party norms is not undemocratic, unethical or immoral and certainly not anti Party Leader, whatever that connotes.

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