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Calling PPP supporters hypocrites will not help AFC

Jan 05, 2013 Letters

 

 

Dear Editor,
This is in reference to M. Maxwell’s “PPP supported parliamentary unity back then, but not now” (KN Dec 21, 12) describing PPP supporters as “hypocrites”. Maxwell criticizes PPP supporters for being silent when their party was in unity talks with PNC (during the era of the dictatorship) but being very critical of the AFC as it has sought to unite with the PNC (APNU) since December 2011.
Hypocrisy has nothing to do with the way PPP supporters view efforts of their party talking with the PNC and the AFC talking with the PNC.
The PPP engaged the PNC because of political reality at the time, to end the abuses of the dictatorship, and they view anyone in bed with the PNC as an anathema to their interests, because the PNC has not atoned for its sins.
As a political analyst, Maxwell should have recognized there is a marked difference in the unity talks this time around and from when PPP was in talks with the PNC – the PNC and AFC are uniting against the PPP, which naturally will oppose the merger because of the threat it poses to the ruling party and its supporters.
PPP supporters are fearful of the PNC in light of what was done to them during the 28 years of the dictatorship. They were never pleased with the PPP’s efforts to link up with the PNC, but reluctantly accepted the PPP strategy as a way to end the PNC authoritarian rule. The PPP supporters considered themselves fortunate that a merger between PNC and PPP did not take place.
International factors led to the collapse of the dictatorship and the restoration of democratic rule. The AFC has to be careful in its alliance talks with the PNC, as it is losing credibility and support. The AFC was the beneficiary of disenchanted PPP supporters in the November 2011 elections. The AFC’s association with the PNC is viewed as a betrayal by those who voted AFC. They expected the party to take an independent position, clear from the two behemoths, and hold both of them accountable, while seeking to change the politics of the nation.
Instead, the AFC supporters complain that their party has found itself in bed with the PNC much to their chagrin, and they are going to punish the AFC come next election, unless the party dissociates itself from both major parties.
Instead of negotiating with the PNC to get back at the PPP, the AFC should be introducing legislation that offers significant political reforms like reducing the powers of the executive.
The AFC should look at changing the way the President is chosen (voted by parliament or direct election for the President who should be chosen by a majority of the electorate) with a run-off election, if no candidate gets a majority, or a return to the Prime Ministerial system of governance with a ceremonial head of state.
The AFC should also introduce legislation to empower civic society and the establishment of a group to oversee expenditure of funds and accountability of the use of state resources, etc.  Attacking PPP supporters as hypocrites will not help the AFC.The party has to understand the fear of PPP supporters.
Vishnu Bisram

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