Latest update February 10th, 2025 2:25 PM
Clash of the Whips …Delay in reconvening National Assembly due to Granger, Ramotar talks – Teixeira
– There are discussions but this subject is not on the agenda – Ally
By Kiana Wilburg
Government’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira sought to set the record straight last night on the fact that Opposition’s
Opposition Whip,
Amna Ally
Whip, Amna Ally, has been “economical” with the truth surrounding government’s delay in setting a date for the reconvening of the National Assembly.
Teixeira also sought to reassure the citizenry that the delay in setting a date is only due to the overriding interest in allowing the engagement with the Leader of the Opposition, David Granger and President Donald Ramotar to evolve. However, after being informed of this response, Ally said that this is not the case.
The Government had made it clear that they had the right in setting the date for the Parliamentary sitting since it came out of recess in October 10. It was agreed by the parliamentarians that the Whips would meet in the Parliamentary Management Committee and arrive at a suitable date.
Ally had told the media that she had contacted Teixeira and communicated to her that the Opposition would like an early sitting, before month end at that.
Ally had told this publication that since she told Teixeira of the request of the Opposition, she has not heard from her since.
However, Teixeira explained that she spoke with Ally on several occasions with regard to the dates proposed by the Alliance For Change (AFC), those being October 16, 22, and 24.
She made it clear that they both agreed that those dates were not suitable.
“She, then, suggested October 30 and within 24 hours, called and said on checking her schedule that this date would clash with other planned events of the A Partnership for National Unity. I agreed to her request,” Teixeira claimed.
She said that there was a “tacit understanding” that the Parliamentary sitting would be held in the early part of November.
“I reminded her and reiterated on more than one occasions that once there was an opening and the President and Leader of the
Govt. Chief Whip,
Gail Teixeira
Opposition were engaged in some kind of dialogue that this process should be given a chance to evolve. I told her l would await the outcome of this engagement and advised her to do the same.
As Chief Whip, I have abided with the engagement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, however, it appears that Ms. Ally as Opposition Whip is coming under undue pressure from the A.F.C. and the more belligerent elements of the A.P.N.U. and as a result is having a difficult time,” The Chief Whip articulated in her statement to the press.
She stressed that this should not in any way lead the public to believe that the government is fearful of convening a sitting or in addressing the AFC’s No-Confidence Motion. “We are prepared to convene a sitting at any time,” She asserted.
After being apprised of Teixeira’s comments, Ally told this publication that it is unfortunate that there was not a third party to the telephone conversation between herself and the government’s chief Whip.
She said that her telephone conversations with Teixeira was based on negotiating a date for convening the sitting of the National Assembly but such conversations only produced excuses.
She made it clear however that while Teixeira is saying that the delay is due to talks between Opposition Leader, David Granger and President Donald Ramotar, the subject of reconvening of the National Assembly is not on their agenda.
“I consider this dillydallying and the government chief whip is going around in circles to come up with an agreement for us to have Parliament reconvene. Let it be pellucid that I am in no way under pressure by the AFC or elements of the APNU nor can they put me in such an awkward position. I fear nothing or no one…unlike Ms. Teixeira, who uses the public media to mislead the Guyanese nation, I don’t,” Ally concluded.
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