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Sadness the morning after
Two weeks ago, I had a tiny argument with former general-secretary of the AFC, Marlon Williams. The theme of that disagreement I have faced every moment of my life since December 21, 2018, when I supported the yes vote of my good friend, Charrandass Persaud in the no-confidence motion (NCM).
Freddie Kissoon
Marlon, in response to my ongoing criticism of the APNU+AFC government, exclaimed that my stance is inexplicable, because if the PPP gets back in power, within weeks, their leaders will seek to oppress me. One AFC youth activist ran down the railway embankment road where the AFC has its head office shouting to the top of his lungs that the PPP threw dirty things on Freddie, yet Freddie wants them back in power. This theme will visit me over and over until the results of the next election.
I have done several columns as to why I supported what Charran did. Here is yet another article that explains my position. I did not support the NCM because Charran is my friend. I did not support the NCM because I want the PPP back in office. I will not vote for the PPP.
I endorsed Charran’s action because I want to see a government that does not possess winner-take-all hegemony. A majority win for the PPP gives Guyana the same type of governance as the PPP displayed for 23 years. A majority win for APNU+AFC gives Guyana another winner-take-all regime.
I embraced Charran’s vote because for three years, six months, with eyes wide open, I saw that the 2015 election result did not change the type of governance we had under the PPP. Charran’s yes vote opened up endless possibilities of having a government, after new elections, that will have its power tamed, because it will be a minority authority.
For this, I thank Charran. You have your right to see it another way. I see a minority government coming, and that regime will be forced to make concessions that will be positive in terms of the reshaping of how governance is used.
The Guyanese people must never forget it was a minority presidency that eventually led to the victory of APNU+AFC. The 2015 dispensation took on a winner-take-all formula, and as a result Charran intervened. I guess this will not be the last time before the next election that I will adumbrate the reasons for my acceptance of the NCM.
Now let’s return to the constant theme in my life since the NCM. I agreed with Marlon that if the PPP wins again, I could be a victim of repression. But I asked Marlon a question that he didn’t answer, and there were many mutual friends witnessing the argument.
Why am I supposed to silence my pen and voice over terrible governance because if I don’t the PPP will get back in office? I told Marlon then I become a prisoner – not through the coercion of another hand, but through my own sycophancy. Well let me tell Marlon and so many others who I am told criticise me on their Facebook pages (I don’t have a Facebook account) – not this citizen. Not now, not ever.
Below are two more of the millions of reasons why I thank Charran for what he has done. The morning after the Thursday holiday (Friday), I left early for the seawall to walk my dog. I noticed that many of the vending structures were gone and in place was a sign that prohibits vending. Even Robeson Benn with all his arrogance never moved seawall vendors from that particular spot.
And who moved them? Minister David Patterson, who just bought the latest Land Cruiser model. In a conversation, the offspring of a senior minister in the presence of political aide to Minister Ramjattan, Dianne Rajkumar; Ogle airport engineer, Raymond Persaud; AFC youth activist, Arnold Suhkraj and small businessman Timol Huggins, said with GRA duty, he estimates the Land Cruiser to be about 60 million. Of course, duty would be waived. The item is the minister’s personal vehicle.
After leaving the seawall, I visited Bounty Supermarket in Kitty. Opposite Bounty is the post office. The first of the month is when our over- 65 seniors go to collect their pension. The APNU+AFC government tore down the old two-storey post office and replaced it with a structure, sixty feet by seventy feet. This in my opinion is a large dog kennel. I watched as a deluge of pensioners had no place to sit.
On South Road, the government rents a three-level building for millions monthly to house the gaming authority. If I were younger, I would have started a revolution in Guyana. But anyway, thank you Charran. You will always be my friend.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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