The current political impasse

Aug 13, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

The current political impasse in Guyana must, perforce, drive one to the realms of speculation – of past and present events – even into the immediate future.
Under the PPP/C Administration there was undeniably a better economy than the limping one we have under the current Administration. Undeniable also is the fact that major malfeasance was a byproduct of the previous Administration, as it is in the current one.
The AFC gained traction on the political landscape because of misdeeds of the PPP/C, rather than being an alternative to APNU. Thus the defeat of the PPP/C was self-triggered. Its hierarchy was dismissive of the masses.
The present Coalition seems to be following in the footsteps of the PPP/C. Apart from mediocrity in its performance over the past four years, it is in denial mode.
Denial is now becoming bullyism, apparent to all – within and without. Not so long ago regarded as objective and critical of poor performance at the national level, they have become condescending, even openly supportive of the present administration and its lacklustre performance. The battle lines are all but drawn.
The AFC, once thought as the Force to balance the political and economic equation, is almost extinct. It is now begging for gravy from the master’s bowl. The Herdmanston Accord is expired. The Coalition therefore exists precariously, perhaps not at all. What is the basis for the AFC to identify a Prime Ministerial candidate? The electorate has not been made aware of any agreement, tacit or otherwise, which declares that the next Prime Minister must come from the AFC.
Additionally, it is not inconceivable that, given an ailing President, APNU’s membership would be strongly resistant to, even unacceptable of, an Indian successor. That the AFC is more baggage than benefit to APNU is not a far-fetched assumption. The Party has effectively exiled itself. Some of its top brass will likely be absorbed by APNU, but that is unlikely to add votes.
Even-steven, APNU cannot win a majority. It has to find more voters for itself than its present base on record. The PPP/C also cannot win a majority. But it has no way to increase its voting population, even considering that it will get back votes which went to the AFC at the last elections. The election machinery is certainly not in its hands.
That machinery is in APNU’s hands, as is the wherewithal to “support” any political hanky-panky in its strongholds. The PPP/C cannot field scrutineers in many APNU strongholds. It is an open secret that PPP/C scrutineers have been driven out from polling stations. That scenario will likely play out again. God forbid another 1964.
That is my take.
Yours truly,
Charles Selman

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