Stirrings of an opposition in Guyana – really?

Sep 28, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

I wrestle with two recent developments in the local political-personal complex. Two fringe parties suddenly found voice to signal that they are still alive, and they may not have sold out entirely. The operative combination of words is ‘may not’ which expresses where I stand.
First, there was the esteemed Hon. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly stirring from his lengthy slumber to write the Clerk of said Assembly about fair and equitable budgetary allocations for all opposition members. I am intrigued by this reconstruction of himself by the Hon. Deputy Speaker, who disappointed followers by showing up in the ranks of other political betrayers of Guyanese voters. I recognise that this fine son of the soil is as good a political actuary as we have had, with his behind-the-scenes insurance coverage prior to the sharing out of the post-election prizes. With this latest development, my position is cynical and sharp: He certainly knows how to weigh the odds, count the costs, and nuance his timings. The questions being worked through are: what is he is angling for this time? What did he not get, that prompted him to this step? And how is he going to end up over time. It is obvious that the Deputy Speaker is not happy with his lot of the loot; so, in characteristic fashion, he sets out to right the scales. Suddenly, he is about what he should have been for from Day One: good governance, as compelled by a good opposition. He was not, still isn’t. That is, unless there is something in it for him.
Then, came ANUG, out of the blue admittedly, to call for that peculiar Guyanese institution: an inquest into the Boston/Dartmouth killing. I say ‘peculiar’ because inquests are really exercises in political leadership hypocrisy and official cover-up. We have repeatedly gotten perfumed versions of what occurred in prior situations. Men who don’t recall (selectively), files that are incomplete (conveniently), and interested parties that disappear (mysteriously). Like the Deputy Speaker, ANUG big shots took the “moolah” and made for still richer pastures: one as an advisor, the other as favoured procurator. Some gifts I would refuse, no matter how longed-for, waited-upon; and particularly when such come from men who abandon their former heroes and gods (Marx and Lenin, I say Jagan, too), as though they were used condoms.
Now, I have another confession to make. Unlike the Deputy Speaker, I did have some hopes for this strange gang of less than a handful called ANUG. I felt that it could make a difference, be a real bona fide contributor. It just goes to sho w how dumb I am, too, that I couldn’t even recognise what Guyana was dealing with, when all was pontificated and deducted: the same crowd of old-time political hustlers, only with shiny faces and verbal uniforms to clothe their naked political infirmities. Hence, the conclusion: no political opposition. The official one is dead; the pretended one is in bed. Guess with whom?

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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