The Jagdeo conundrum

Mar 24, 2015 Editorial

One of the most talked about events these days centre on Bharrat Jagdeo and his wealth. Ever since he demitted office, in fact, before he demitted office, people were commenting on his domiciles, the first of which was constricted at Ogle.
That first house was sold for a sum of money that would build a dozen middle class homes. Then former President Jagdeo built a house that is so ostentatious that it defies description. It remains the talking point of the nation to the point that it is becoming an embarrassment to even Jagdeo.
As is often the case in Guyana where issues disappear after a few days of public discussion this recent flare up about Jagdeo’s house and his wealth would have died as every scandal does. The fact, though, that Jagdeo’s house and his wealth are talking points to the extent that people see him as the epitome of a leader who presided over a corrupt society, would make the issue a landmark in the annals of the country.
Some believe that Jagdeo, his house and his wealth cost his People’s Progressive Party the parliamentary majority and saw Guyana having its first minority government. The accusations of corruption did not go away because there was no prosecution. Many people recalled seeing a man hustling to make a living one day and living in high style the next. They saw Ministers of the government who were ordinary people one day and filthy rich people the next.
Meanwhile, there were the ordinary people who, try as they might, find it extremely difficult to improve their lot. These are the people who sought the help of their politicians who then became arrogant and dismissive. For every indiscretion of the child, blame the parent; for every indiscretion of the Ministers blame the President. And so it was that people turned.
The 2011 elections came and went leaving behind the scars of an arrogant people who had become complacent in public office. Short memories always plague a people who are confident to the point that they believe that there could be nothing wrong about whatever they do.
Having been faced with the embarrassment of a Bharrat Jagdeo campaign the People’s Progressive Party decided that once more it was going back to Jagdeo for the campaign leadership. And once more Jagdeo’s affluence is being questioned. The fallout sees the return of memories of a time when people point to wide scale corruption amidst their suffering. They recall the poorly constructed roads, the over-priced constructions and again the allegations of corruption while they, the people, fail to improve their lot.
Yet people might have been tempted to pay quiet attention to Jagdeo and his election campaign statements had he not opted to say that his lifestyle was the parallel of Cheddi Jagan’s. Cheddi Jagan is to the PPP as the Pope is to the Catholic Church. His followers have anointed him and he been pursuing a religious venture then he might have been sanctified. And so it is that Bharrat Jagdeo has sought to sully Cheddi Jagan’s image, much to the annoyance of the man’s followers.
There are die-hard supporters who are now questioning the validity of the PPP given what they perceive to be a veering away from the principles of the party. And because of the closeness of those in the leadership of the party there is none who dares to admit that something wrong was said.
The General Secretary believes that any problem over the Jagdeo comparison is the work of the opposition. He is sticking to the convention of blaming the opposition when any criticism emerges. At the same time, having taken the position that Jagdeo would be the chief campaigner, the party is constrained to support him. So the party insists that he did no wrong with his comparison to Cheddi Jagan; that the wealth of the leaders is something that should not be questioned or seen in any negative light.

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The Jagdeo conundrum

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