Significant face changes but not much else

Sep 10, 2011 Editorial

If the ruling People’s Progressive Party wins the upcoming elections the nation will see significant changes in the Cabinet. For the first time since 1992—nineteen years ago—there will be neither Bharrat Jagdeo nor Samuel Hinds. Jagdeo entered Cabinet as a Junior Finance Minister while Sam Hinds entered as Prime Minister.
In the wake of the 1992 elections that saw a change in Government and the accession of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan to the Presidency, Sam Hinds, who was recruited from the Civic component of the party, was appointed Prime Minister.
On that occasion, Dr Jagan told the nation that the Prime Minister would always come from the Civic component of the party. However, a lot has changed since then. Almost all of those who formed the Civic group that coalesced with the People’s Progressive Party have been discarded. The remainder, perhaps no more than three, has become active members of the ruling party.
On Thursday, Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar told the press that he has shortlisted the people most likely to be the Prime Minister in his administration. He said that they have come from both the party and what could now pass for the civic elements in society. They are both men and women.
Every leader comes with his own style and with his own support team. Leaders always want people with whom they feel comfortable. Sometimes they have to reach outside their respective political parties to recruit a suitable person to serve in a certain position.
This is not likely to happen in Guyana. It is not to say that the political parties that have ruled the country have not reached outside their borders. The People’s National Congress did reach to professionals who prior to the approach, appeared not to have any political inclination. Sir Shridath and Mohamed Shahabuddeen were Attorneys General.
In the case of the People’s Progressive Party, there was the recruitment of Dr Leslie Ramsammy from the United Republican Party. There was also the recruitment of Manzoor Nadir from The United Force. It is not likely that Ramotar would reach out because he has been at the helm of his party for more than a decade and is most likely to have identified candidates from within the party.
The composition of the Cabinet would be interesting. Within recent times President Jagdeo has been identifying those with whom he is most familiar at the expense of party faithful. Feroze Mohamed, Harripersaud Nokta, Gail Teixeira and Clinton Collymore were just a few who were replaced. The Civics did not escape notice. Rev Dale Bisnauth and Dr Henry Jeffrey are just two who are no longer Ministers.
Ramotar has already signaled that some of the current members of the Cabinet will not be there. Indeed, there were those stalwarts who were ignored over the years and who remained faithful to the party.
Moses Nagamootoo who insisted that he was heir apparent to President Jagan has not done much ever since his return from law school. Navin Chandarpal, another party stalwart, recently was shown the door although according to his utterances, he was working for free.
Then there is the political direction. Ramotar said that he is aware that there is corruption. In recent times there were numerous reports of corrupt transactions, many of them being in the field of contracts. Whether Ramotar will be allowed to clamp down is everyone’s wish but this remains a hope.
Whatever the outcome, the face of the government will be changed. Some of the young party hopeful should be making their political debut but one is most likely to see the older heads assuming leadership positions.
Barring the face of the Cabinet, not much is likely to change. Any new government is expected to continue projects already on stream. For one, the Amaila Falls project which is still to be funded, may be sacrificed. The political opposition, while acknowledging that the project is necessary, is worried about the cost.
But then again, if Ramotar accedes to office this is one project that would continue. The kinks would remain because a new leader would not have the time to reshape the project. We do not have Kamla Persad as Trinidad does.

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