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Arrival of Article 13 group

Sep 13, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,
The announcement of the formation of the new Article 13 Group is well-received, much welcomed. Yet, I would be less than myself, not altogether candid, if I do not share publicly, some underlying thoughts, more in the form of skepticisms and misgivings.
First, I ask myself if any new group would ever be trusted in Guyana again. As much as I want to, I can’t. I am wary.
I am wary, because of what happened last elections season (and before).
I focus on the 2020 one, because the record of the aftermath is more pronounced, insultingly in the face.
Every single one of the groups that said it came out to be different and apart from the PPP and PNC, ended up with the victorious PPP.
At least, the leaders did, as can be discerned from the spoils column and its beneficiaries.
There is a Deputy Speaker in the National Assembly, some cloth, some plum positions, some state directorships, some sweet deals, and so forth.
So much for being different and standing apart. It is real politick; but one does not have to sell personal independence and integrity-if not once reputable character-for such cheap fodder.
This is where I fear this lovely sounding Article 13 group could end up, though it is not a bona fide political party in origin, maybe even in objective. At least, not yet.
Regardless of whatever it is in conception, and the pathway it follows, the vital ingredient of confidence could be lacking, which translates to little traction, other than in the usual rhetorical sparring, which we love, live for, so much.
Second, the thought stirring is this: the creation of what is sure to possess elements of the rollcall of Who’s Who in Guyana’s political crab dance, could have come about because of disgruntlement over ending up without when the prizes were being shared.
Stated otherwise, if what was desired was delivered by the Vice President, my thinking is that there would be no Article 13 group today. Tantalising, isn’t it? The real Guyana, too.
Third, and this builds on my second point, given the disbelief and contempt that reign for new and stirring sounding groups-civic, pressure, interest, constitutional, reform, and like-if they were to transform into a political parry, it is near absolutely certain that they will perform just as dismally as the last large handful of newcomers did in 2020.
This is simply because Indians would still be voting PPP and African Guyanese PNC, with minimal exceptions only. Forget about the native vote, that is bought and sealed tighter than the Exxon contract.
Nevertheless, a civic cum political group, like Article 13 (it will be thought of as such), is capable of making enough noise, generating enough interest, attracting enough leadership watchfulness, to make things happen. This is the crux: for themselves. Meaning, not to be personally denied any longer, to get where they had ambitions to go, and to convey to angry citizens that they are about their welfare only, and not that of the country. Call this the cynical fallout from 2020 and before with the AFC, and that’s the bullseye.
I think it is an encouraging development, which if managed wisely and utterly nobly (integrity, unselfishness, patriotic duty), this Article 13 group, and any other, could significantly benefit this country. But only if it, or any of them, turns out to be so. That is, doing well, by doing right. For citizens. They haven’t. None.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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