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The politics, plans and ploys of the PPP
Dear Editor;
Race and politics originated with the PPP, and after many decades, rather than losing momentum it has gained in intensity. When the PPP was split into two factions the term ‘Apan Jaat’ was introduced into the political arena. This term means vote for your own race. The PPP faction led by Forbes Burnham was always the loser as the greater percentage of Indians would always give the PPP faction, led by Cheddi Jagan, the majority. Thanks to Jagan for being the pioneer in racial politics.
The PPP thrived on ‘apanjaat’ politics but the last two elections disturbed this trend a lot. Heavy migration of Indians coupled with higher growth rates in the Amerindian and African population caused a significant demographic shift. Added to this is the fact that a large mixed population, which does not favour the PPP, has begun to make their presence felt. Even the voting population within different ethnicities seems to be fare better proportionately that the PPP’s Indians, including an increasing number from the minority Muslim community; they have broken away from race voting which is further cause of concern to the PPP camp.
Due to these trends the opposition has been thrown in desperation. The claim of discrimination against people of Indian race is the one that is commonly used. This however is very hollow and seems to be backfiring. Take for instance the racial pronouncement by Jagdeo at a meeting in New York. In this gathering, of course there will be respectable people who are impartial. If their desire to want to come back is genuine the government should give all support. However there are the opportunists who are looking for sweetheart deals; others who after spending more than two decades are still hardened racist with great hangover from their orientation in Guyana; and there are also the evaders of taxes by breaching their financial commitment with tertiary institution. We must not forget the ghost double dippers who want the best of both worlds.
In Region 2, there are a lot of PPP supporters squatting on government reserves. This is quite evident on a reserve adjacent to the road leading to the Mainstay Resort. This is against an advisory published recently by the Lands and Survey Division. These people have blocked ingress and egress to rice farms and they have erected fencing which has posed a danger to traffic to the road. In fact it has already caused a few accidents. Many are now involved in this exercise as if the law has taken a back seat.
Sometimes the law has to be applied. Irrespective of race once you break the law you must stand by the consequences. Let the legacy of Dr. Jagan be alive when such actions would be greeted by shouts of vindictive acts against people of Indian origin.
And while there is a lot of stereotyping against the present government, the PPP should be ashamed and feel highly disgraced by its own record. Dismissals from custom house, treason charges against Benchop and some GDF officers, failure to promote because of race, taking away positions from qualified personnel and give same to Indian party hacks are just the tip of the iceberg of PPP racist policies. It is sad to say but the truth is that people of African descent, under the PPP suffered from institutionalized marginalization. The pronouncement from the highest office of the land concerning Africans lacking qualifications for ambassadorial position says it all.
With their racial posturing the PPP under opposition leader Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, finds itself with a credibility crisis. Claims of race, witch-hunting, other forms of discrimination will be the order of the day. It is like a drowning man clutching at a straw. All the time this is more retrogressive than progressive. Better wake up and smell the coffee.
Wafiyyah Ali
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In the month of June the mayor and team of the A.R.T.C were there taking measurement of this same reserve.They also advise these squatters that they will now have to pay $3500 per 100 feet occupied.
By stock piling materials on the ” TURN ” compounds an already dangerous situation.Sadly two lives were lost because of this.