Latest update January 3rd, 2025 1:39 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

It would be wise for the Guyanese electorate to return President Granger and the Coalition to government

Feb 28, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

On Monday March 2, the Guyanese people will vote in an election called as a result of a non-confidence motion that was successful because of the defection of MP Charrandass Persaud.
The defeat of the Coalition government was not expected and should not have happened. The no-confidence motion was ill-advised and essentially a betrayal. However, the Guyanese people well know the CCJ’s ruling on the matter and in a few days will give its verdict on that non-confidence motion and, more importantly, the performance of the Coalition in its first term.
The Coalition took over from the PPP/C after a 23-year run that started magnificently with the election of the highly respected Cheddi Jagan as president. Jagan was a principled socialist, strongly committed to democratic principles, and a very decent human being.
The country made significant progress under his guidance as the economy grew and the standard of living improved partly as a result of debt forgiveness and a new sense of hope. However, the death of Cheddi Jagan towards the end of his term in office led to new leaders taking over the PPP and that party losing its ideological grounding.
Jagan’s widow took over the presidency that eventually went to Bharrat Jagdeo and then Donald Ramotar, whose government was defeated by the coalition in 2015. By that time, some of the PPP’s top leaders had left the party. Moses Nagamootoo became Prime Minister in the Coalition, Khemraj Ramjattan became a minister and Ralph Ramkarran is now contesting in a new party ANUG.
The Jagans’ only child resident in Guyana is now a fierce critic of the PPP and is campaigning with the Coalition as it seeks re-election. The departure of these four former PPP stalwarts and others underline the decline of the party from a principled socialist movement to an opportunistic grouping lacking in principles and being heavy-handedly led by Bharrat Jagdeo. This culminated in the selection of Irfaan Ali as the presidential candidate for the March 2 election.
That this was a retrograde move, in my opinion, would be an understatement. Many traditional PPP supporters will have difficulty voting for a ticket headed by Irfaan Ali.
The PPP has been desperately trying to paint the Coalition as being incapable of running the country, but nothing could be further from the truth. The economy has grown under the current government, unemployment has fallen slightly and corruption in the public sector has decreased.
On the latter: in its 2019 ranking of countries, Transparency International singled out Guyana as having made significant strides in reducing corruption. And most significantly, the Coalition oversaw the rapid development of Guyana’s new oil and gas industry. This has the potential to contribute to a dramatic improvement in the standard of living of the Guyanese people, as several global agencies have projected Guyana to have the fastest growing economy in the world in 2020.
Moreover, President Granger has been a good, courageous and dignified leader who, despite having to fight a bout with cancer and the no-confidence motion, has emerged as the person best positioned to manage the new revenues flowing from oil and gas. Additionally, the Coalition’s record in government has been well above average. Therefore, from this writer’s perspective, it would be wise for the Guyanese electorate to return President Granger and the Coalition to government.
Sincerely,
Jang B. Singh, Ph.D.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional boxing

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional...

Dec 31, 2024

By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports- In the rich tapestry of Guyanese sports, few names shine as brightly as Keevin Allicock. A prodigious talent with the rare blend of skill, charisma, and grit, Allicock...
Read More
Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for 2025 CWI Regional Four-Day Tournament

Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for...

Dec 31, 2024

The business end has arrived, a place in the final is at stake tomorrow night

The business end has arrived, a place in the...

Dec 31, 2024

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project...

Dec 31, 2024

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind Drakes 5 goal spree, Botafago humble Capital Fc 8-3

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind...

Dec 31, 2024

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO against Ramirez

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO...

Dec 30, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]